Last year, the Lakers’ Summer League team traveled to Las Vegas with a trophy in mind and returned with only one win.
Thanks largely to D’Angelo Russell’s stat-stuffing night, this year’s edition has already matched that total by steamrolling New Orleans, 85-65, in their Summer League opener on Friday.
“Last year we had had a reality check as a group,” Russell said after racking up 20 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and three steals.* “This year was way more fun. We had a collective group that had fun playing with each other.”
Russell was efficient with his shot selection, going 7-of-12 from the field while also fighting for three offensive rebounds.