The Los Angeles Lakers seem to have a new energy following multiple trades two weeks ago that drastically reshaped the complexion of their roster.
Russell Westbrook, Patrick Beverley, Juan Toscano-Anderson and Damian Jones were shipped out in two separate deals that brought L.A. D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, Malik Beasley and Mo Bamba.
Lakers fans have been optimistic, if not excited about these new players, and it was clear why when the team got off to a good start against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday.
Then — snap! Russell went down with a sprained ankle in the first half and didn’t return.
It seemed like another piece of the bad luck that had been haunting the organization ever since the 2020-21 season. But Russell was upbeat after the game and said he should be fine moving forward.
“No,” Russell said when asked if he was concerned about the injury. “Players roll their ankles all the time. I don’t do that often, so it’s obviously new, but it is what it is. I’m not really worried.”
Even without Russell, the Lakers pulled away from the Warriors and turned a three-point halftime lead into a 124-111 rout.
The guard will be re-evaluated on Friday according to head coach Darvin Ham, and he is considered day-to-day moving forward. The Lakers face the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday afternoon.
