Former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown took a shot at Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell during Game 1 of the Lakers’ first-round playoff series with the Denver Nuggets.
Out there like a damn cone #CTESPN @Dloading pic.twitter.com/unJfh8GTgC
— AB (@AB84) April 21, 2024
Russell did not have his best performance in Game 1, shooting just 6-for-20 from the field in the Lakers’ 114-103 loss. Los Angeles is now 0-4 against Denver this season (0-3 in the regular season) and has dropped five straight playoff games to Denver over the last two seasons.
The struggles from Russell, who shot just 1-for-9 from beyond the arc, certainly hurt Los Angeles on Saturday.
The former No. 2 overall pick came into Saturday’s game off a great regular season where he averaged 18.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game while shooting 45.6 percent from the field and 41.5 percent from 3-point range. He finished Game 1 against Denver with just 13 points, three rebounds and three assists.
“I know what I’m capable of.. so honestly I’m excited about that… sometimes the ball just doesn’t fall”
– D’Angelo Russell isn’t worried 👀
pic.twitter.com/BRVjG5FzRx— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) April 21, 2024
Unfortunately for Russell, this isn’t the first time that he’s struggled in the playoffs as a Laker.
In the Western Conference Finals last season (also against Denver), Russell ended up getting benched in Game 4 of the series. He finished the series, which was a four-game sweep by Denver, averaging just 6.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 32.3 percent from the field and 13.3 percent from 3.
D'Angelo Russell in five playoff games vs. Denver:
– 38 total points (7.6 per game).
– 16-of-51 from the field (31.4%).
– 3-of-24 from 3 (12.5%)
– 135 minutes played, -45 point-differential.This just isn't his matchup.
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) April 21, 2024
It’ll be interesting to see if Lakers head coach Darvin Ham rolls with Russell for extended minutes again in Game 2 of the Lakers-Nuggets series.
Los Angeles has other options at the guard position, including Gabe Vincent, Austin Reaves and Spencer Dinwiddie, that could eat into Russell’s playing time if he continues to struggle.
Reaves, who started alongside Russell on Saturday, finished Game 1 with 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the field. Dinwiddie and Vincent both did not score — or attempt a shot — in limited minutes.
Russell and the Lakers will look to bounce back in Game 2 on Monday night. That matchup is scheduled to tip off from Ball Arena at 7 p.m. PST. The series will head back to L.A. afterward.
