In his first game as the true spear of the Lakers’ attack, D’Angelo Russell put on a performance featuring the success — and sloppiness — that are expected with a talented rookie point guard at the helm.
The 19-year-old cobbled together his first career double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, but he also turned the ball over seven times, becoming the youngest Laker to do so since Kobe Bryant in November 1997.
“It’s still a learning curve for him,” head coach Byron Scott said after the team’s 100-87 loss to Atlanta. “Made some mistakes on both ends of the floor, but I thought offensively he seems to be more comfortable in what we’re doing. … But tonight was one of those games that you don’t see too often from him where he has seven turnovers, which really hurt us.”
After playing 36 minutes, Russell himself echoed Scott’s point of view.
“I just think it’ll come with time,” Russell said. “Point guard is the toughest position, especially in this league. (I’ll) just keep being patient and I’ll figure it out.”
The teenager also hauled in five offensive rebounds, sunk four 3-pointers and handed out four assists. But those turnovers?
“It was the ball’s fault,” he joked.
Check out some D’Angelo Russell highlights from tonights game. #GoLakers https://t.co/8gN5FhTr0p
Slippery Slope The game’s first five minutes set a tone for the Lakers (3-15), which they could not shake for the rest of the game. L.A. missed each of its first 10 shots on a night when it went just 32-of-86 (37.2 percent) from the field as a whole.
“It’s like skating uphill,” Scott said of falling behind early. “It just takes all your energy.”
Just before halftime, Atlanta (12-9) led by a game-high 19 points, but the Lakers rallied thanks to a 30-20 third quarter in which they hit six of their season-best 13 3-pointers. Jordan Clarkson led during this frame by scoring 11 of his 13 points and hitting all three of his shots from beyond the arc.
Bryant, who finished with 14 points but on 4-of-19 shooting, hit a jumper with 4:46 left to cut the Hawks’ lead to four, but L.A.’s offense collapsed from there.
Of the Lakers’ final 12 possessions, five ended in turnovers and five in missed shots, as Atlanta finished its wire-to-wire victory on a 13-4 run.
How many Mamba? pic.twitter.com/XVcSAjQZ2p
The Mamba’s Finale In his final trip to Atlanta, Kobe Bryant was once again greeted with fans chanting his name, which will surely become the norm across the country during this last season of his.
Though Bryant — who took just one shot in the paint and went 2-of-10 on 3’s — admitted that his legs felt wearier than when he dropped 31 points in Washington on Wednesday, he still plans on trying to play the remainder of the schedule.
“Even if my body’s a little sore, this moment’s not coming again,” he said. “Pulling up to the arena, getting ready for the game — it’s not going to happen again in this arena. Walking down the tunnel and so forth.
“So it’s important to try to enjoy these moments as much as possible.”
#Respect
A photo posted by Los Angeles Lakers (@lakers) on Dec 4, 2015 at 5:35pm PST
Notes Playing his former team, Lou Williams scored 10 of his game-high 18 points in the first quarter. … After his stellar third quarter, Clarkson did not play in the fourth. … Five Hawks scored 13 points or more, including Al Horford, who led with 16. … A sold-out crowd of 19,051 packed Philips Arena.
Thanks for the memories, Kobe! Here’s our tribute video that just played in the arena: https://t.co/D2iMvDEsR6
