Los Angeles Lakers head coach Byron Scott recently decided to finally take the training wheels off D’Angelo Russell, and wouldn’t you know it, the playing time is paying off for the rookie’s development and confidence (weird how that works).
Russell went bonkers on Tuesday night at Staples Center, scoring 39 points (14-of-21 on field goals) and hitting eight three-pointers in the Lakers’ 107-91 win over the Brooklyn Nets.
D’Angelo Russell’s 39 points, most by a Lakers rookie since Elgin Baylor (39) on 3/11/1959 vs Pistons (via @eliassports)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 2, 2016
Russell’s eight three-pointers is the most by a Laker rookie in franchise history, surpassing Nick Van Exel (six). — Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) March 2, 2016
D’Angelo Russell’s 39 points vs. Brooklyn (14 of 21 FG’s, 8 3’s) are the most scored by a rookie since Jordan Crawford’s 39 in 2011.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) March 2, 2016
And yes, Russell’s 39 is the most by a rookie this season. Towns has scored 35, 32 & 30, Booker has scored 32, Okafor/Turner have scored 31. — Darius Soriano (@forumbluegold) March 2, 2016
The best moment of Russell’s night came in the game’s final minute, as he hit a dagger three, and then proclaimed, “I got ice, in my veins!”
Lakers rookie D’Angelo Russell hits the big three and says, “I got ice, in my veins!”https://t.co/91Y4pp7gvZ — Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 2, 2016
“ICE IN MY VEINS” pic.twitter.com/DX5kKNWLFL
— Harry Lyles Jr. (@harrylylesjr) March 2, 2016
It’s been a miserable season for the Lakers (12-49), but their fans definitely have something to be excited about in this 20-year-old point guard.