EL SEGUNDO >> Lakers coach Luke Walton came to D’Angelo Russell’s defense Wednesday after Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard made pointed comments about Russell’s “slick little elbows” in their matchup on Tuesday.
“The film that I have, I didn’t see D’Angelo throw any elbows,” Walton said. “Obviously, it’s not the high-definition game feed, so you don’t see all of it.”
Lillard finished with 20 points after starting 1 for 11 from the field, while Russell was limited to nine points, but had eight rebounds, six assists and three steals.
What had been a seemingly minor dustup between the two guards was given fresh life postgame when a heated Lillard said, “We ain’t going to do it on the court, so we’ll be in the back and whatever happens happens.