LOS ANGELES -- For the second straight season, D'Angelo Russell was in the Lakers' starting unit on opening night only to be moved to the bench in response to the team grappling with an early losing spell.
Only this time, after Friday's 116-106 win over the Philadelphia 76ers, Russell sounded completely at peace with the move.
"I just wanted to win," Russell said after scoring 18 points on 7-for-12 shooting with three assists as a reserve. "So whatever it took, change of plans, whatever it is, whatever Coach needs, try to get the win and be a part of that.