Lakers' D'Angelo Russell: Nears double-double in loss to Hornets

Russell scored 23 points (8-17 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT) while adding nine assists, two steals and one rebounds across 36 minutes during Tuesday's 109-104 loss to the Hornets.

Analysis:

Russell was one of the Lakers' most effective players in the narrow loss, tying for the team lead in scoring while falling one helper short of a double-double. The team appeared to be down and out toward the end of the game, but he gave them a glimmer of hope with a pair of treys inside the final minute. The backcourt has thinned out after the departures of Lou Williams and Jose Calderon, and with averages of 23.3 points, six assists, 3.3 three-pointers and two steals per game since the All-Star break, Russell appears poised to thrive .