If the true test of an NBA player’s worth is how much he can contribute to his team when the shots aren’t falling, D’Angelo Russell is worth a great deal to the Brooklyn Nets.
Russell found other ways to contribute in the first half Monday night against the Toronto Raptors, handing out eight assists and grabbing six rebounds while scoring just four points on 1-of-7 shooting.
His all-around play helped the Nets to a 60-56 halftime lead in a game they eventually lost 127-125, despite Russell’s offensive explosion after the break.
Russell scored 14 points in the third quarter and added 10 more in the fourth, hitting 9-of-15 from the floor in the second half to go with six assists.