The Los Angeles Lakers have been very short-handed over the last week or so. They have been without LeBron James and D’Angelo Russell, yet they have found ways to win games.
On Sunday, they faced the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors, who welcomed Stephen Curry back from a lower leg injury and were approaching full health. Despite being the less talented team, Los Angeles played with solid intensity and effort and defeated the Warriors, 113-105.
The team has won six of its last nine games, which coincides with the debut of the players it acquired in the Russell Westbrook trade. But it will need Russell back very soon to ensure a playoff spot.
Before his team’s game versus the Warriors, head coach Darvin Ham gave a somewhat positive update on Russell and the status of his injured ankle (at 0:39).
Darvin Ham provides an update on D'Angelo Russell and talks about the gameplan against Steph Curry and the Warriors. pic.twitter.com/3usTxywT4H
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 5, 2023
“Well he’s trending in the right direction; he’s day-to-day,” Ham said. “Again, there are certain steps we take in terms of getting someone back on the game floor. It’s just not, ‘OK, he’s made this many 3s in individual workouts, so let’s throw him out there.’ No, there’s steps we take, so it’s definitely trending in the right direction.”
The Lakers have tough games coming up against the Toronto Raptors and the red-hot New York Knicks. Russell’s ability to score from all three levels, create additional transition opportunities and get teammates open shots would greatly help L.A.’s cause.
