The Los Angeles Lakers started their playoff journey the same way they ended it last year. By losing to the Denver Nuggets! LeBron James and Co. could not get the upper hand against the defending Champions, losing tonight’s Game 1 114-103. While LeBron and Anthony Davis put their best foot forward, their supporting cast left them stranded on an island. Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Taurean Prince had a disappointing outing, but the most concerning aspect was the performance of D’Angelo Russell.

The Nuggets continued to be D’Lo’s kryptonite even a year later. Russell couldn’t figure out how to get out of his shooting slump against the Nuggets. He continued his abysmal form from last year’s Western Conference Finals and finished Game 1 with only 13 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists. Despite shooting a career-high 41.5% from the 3-point line in the regular season, he posted an abysmal 1 of 9 shooting from beyond the arc tonight. Russell has shot 3 of 24 (12.5%) from long range in his last 5 playoff games. All against the Denver Nuggets!

After a decent run in the rest of the playoffs, Russell had no impact in the series against Denver last year. His average dropped to 6.3 points, 3.5 assists, and 2 rebounds, and he made only two three-pointers throughout the 4-game series. Lakers fans hoped Russell would finally get redemption tonight, as he has been in elite form all season. He averaged 18 points, 6.3 assists, and 3.1 rebounds in the regular season. But the bright lights of the playoffs proved too much to handle for the former All-Star tonight.

The Denver series could decide D’Angelo Russell’s Lakers future

After DLo choked against the Nuggets last year, many believed his days of wearing the Purple & Gold were over. But Rob Pelinka shocked everyone as he brought back the 28-year-old guard and even gave him a 2-year $36 million contract extension. Russell’s regular season started in disappointment as he showed no improvement in his form. He was back in the trade rumors by February’s mid-season trade deadline. That is when he switched gears and turned into a monster!

He improved his shooting percentages significantly and started impacting winning. He upped his value before the trade deadline, and the Lakers had no option but to keep him till the end of the season. In the 25 games D’Lo played following the All-Star break, he averaged 19.2 points, 6.4 assists, and 3.7 rebounds. But it will all go to waste if he fails again in the playoffs against Denver. With LeBron in the squad, the Lakers are in a ‘Win Now’ mindset and will not have much patience with D’Lo if he continues to crumble under playoff pressure.

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If Russell is unable to get out of his shooting slump and the Lakers get eliminated in the first round, this series might be the last he plays for LA. Do you think D’Angelo Russell can turn things around and help the Lakers upset the defending Champions?