Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell has been experiencing a notable shooting slump, with his performance in December showing a significant drop to an average of 9 points per game from 18 points per game in November. During a recent game, he scored only 4 points on 2-of-7 shooting by the second quarter. Over the last five games, Russell's average dropped to 9.4 points per game with a field goal percentage of 34.5% and a three-point percentage of 25.0%. Despite finding some rhythm in the fourth quarter of the latest game, Russell acknowledged his struggles, stating, 'I’ve just gotta be better. No excuses.' In other Lakers news, Rui Hachimura suffered a hard fall after contact with Naz Reid, which was reviewed and upgraded to a flagrant 1 foul. Hachimura was able to walk off the court on his own, and x-rays on his fall were negative. His status, initially listed as questionable due to left wrist soreness from the fall, was later upgraded to probable. Meanwhile, Gabe Vincent is considering knee surgery that could sideline him for 6-to-8 weeks. Amid these developments, the Lakers have decided to move Russell to the bench for their game against Oklahoma City, opting for a new starting lineup featuring LeBron James, Cam Reddish, Taurean Prince, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Anthony Davis.
Lakers' Gabe Vincent contemplating knee surgery https://t.co/X0og75A7I1
Gabe Vincent Considering Knee Surgery, Would Miss 6-8 Weeks https://t.co/FzESzqhzdt
Gabe Vincent is considering a surgical procedure on his left knee that would keep him sidelined for 6-to-8 weeks, league sources told ESPN. Vincent’s camp is exhausting all other options before settling on surgery.
Gabe Vincent is considering a surgical procedure on his left knee that would keep him sidelined for 6-to-8 weeks, league sources told ESPN. Vincent’s camp are exhausting all other options before settling on surgery.
DLo will come off the bench for the Lakers tonight. 😳 https://t.co/byihyJmW2F
BREAKING: The Lakers are moving D’Angelo Russell to the bench tonight vs. OKC, per @ShamsCharania. Good move? https://t.co/hjQe9IxN9Y
After four straight losses, the Lakers have benched D’Angelo Russell for tonight's game vs. Oklahoma City, per @ShamsCharania. The Lakers' new starting 🖐️: -LeBron James -Cam Reddish -Taurean Prince -Jarred Vanderbilt -Anthony Davis https://t.co/cpSm3zkqoP
Biiiiig starting lineup for the Lakers tonight. Curious about the staggering - you’re back to D’Lo/Reaves off the bench. Is there still a plan to split them up to a degree?
Lakers are moving D’Angelo Russell to the bench, per @ShamsCharania https://t.co/0mSDDXXoMy
After four straight losses, the Lakers are moving D’Angelo Russell to the bench tonight vs. Oklahoma City for new starting five of LeBron James, Cam Reddish, Taurean Prince, Jarred Vanderbilt and Anthony Davis.
The Lakers will start LeBron, AD, Vando, Cam and Taurean today in OKC, Lakers coach Darvin Ham says.
Tatum remains in the game. Kobe Brown assessed a flagrant 1 for stepping underneath Tatum as he shot. https://t.co/tMvTIhyQEc
Jayson Tatum just hit a three but rolled his ankle when Kobe Brown went to challenge. Tatum was down for a bit but he walked back to the Celtics bench.
Jayson Tatum went down holding his injured left ankle after a landing space foul when he hit a transition 3. That's getting reviewed for a flagrant. Tatum up to 16 now as he goes to the line.
Gabe Vincent (left knee) has been downgraded to doubtful and Rui Hachimura (left wrist) has been upgraded to probable tonight in OKC, per the Lakers.
The Lakers are planning to bring D’Angelo Russell off the bench tonight, per @DanWoikeSports https://t.co/4qnY9wFf75
Update for tonight at OKC: Rui Hachimura (left wrist soreness) has been upgraded to “probable.” Gabe Vincent (left knee effusion) has been downgraded to “doubtful.”
Already injured coming into the night, Rui Hachimura stepped up for the Lakers in the starting lineup despite taking a nasty fall against the Wolves. @LakersSBN https://t.co/upsHC2v1jj
Lakers report for tomorrow’s game vs. OKC: - JHS, Vando and Gabe Vincent are PROBABLE. - AD, Rui Hachimura and LeBron James are QUESTIONABLE. @SportingTrib https://t.co/jq2CWBcq8u
Hachimura’s status stems from his fall last night in Minnesota. https://t.co/9F79zlRRYS
The Lakers have a chance for the entire roster to be available at OKC tomorrow. LeBron, AD and Hachimura are all officially listed as questionable.
D'Angelo Russell (17 PTS, 8 AST) on his shooting slump: “I just gotta be better, honestly. Just find a way to be better. No excuse for that. It's good to see some go in but obviously we wanted the win to be the result. Just got to be better. It happens." https://t.co/qVKtSIW18W
D'Angelo Russell talked about how he needs to get back to making shots, and how when shots aren't falling, he tries to offset this by locking in defensively. But he also noted, candidly, in so many words, defense isn't his calling card. Which took him back to making shots. AK
Rui Hachimura said x- rays were negative after his falling hard in the second half
D’Angelo Russell has been in a shooting slump of late (18 ppg in Nov., 9 ppg in Dec.), and while he found his rhythm in the 4th Q tonight, he said he expects more from himself. “I’ve just gotta be better. No excuses.”
D’Angelo Russell over his last 5 games: 9.4 PPG 34.5% FG 25.0% 3PT https://t.co/7YMmlmouZE
A bit of a weird offensive stretch for D'Angelo Russell. Hesitating on catch-and-shoot threes, taking a lot of tough twos. Another off night for him so far
The foul was upgraded to a flagrant 1 after review. Hachimura was able to get up and shake off the spill. https://t.co/0p7ZopGwue
Rui Hachimura is up and moving well after an extremely hard fall after he rose for a dunk, and took contact from Naz Reid that saw him land directly onto his hip. Refs reviewed it and ruled it a Flagrant 1, since there was significant - if not malevolent - contact to the face.
Scary play here with Rui Hachimura taking a hard fall after being fouled by Naz Reid on his way to the hoop. The refs called it a common foul but are reviewing it for a flagrant.
Rui Hachimura is up and walking on his own after that scary fall. Refs are currently reviewing the foul to see if it meets flagrant criteria.
D'Angelo Russell's December shooting struggles have continued tonight: He has 4 points on 2-of-7 shooting midway through the second quarter.