VIDEO: Lakers' Russell sends game vs. Wolves to OT with contorting floater
D'Angelo Russell finally got a bit of leash from his head coach Wednesday night, and the Los Angeles Lakers' rookie point took it and ran.
Despite recently being relegated to a reserve role - one Byron Scott expects him to remain in for the foreseeable future - Russell found himself in the unfamiliar position of being on the floor in the fourth quarter of a close game, and without hero-ball commandant Kobe Bryant on the floor, to boot.
The 19-year-old had the ball with under 10 seconds to play and the Lakers trailing the Minnesota Timberwolves by two. He stared down reigning Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins, got a half-step on him, pulled up, and let fly this contorting floater to send the game to overtime.
D'ANGELO RUSSELL ONIONS pic.twitter.com/WmvwH1BHMk
— Silver Screen & Roll (@LakersSBN) December 10, 2015
Even Bryant was fired up after that one.
D'Angelo Russell hits a crazy off balance shot to tie the Wolves and force OT, Kobe loves it pic.twitter.com/tehmSkTCWA
— The Cauldron (@TheCauldron) December 10, 2015
Alas, the Lakers couldn't quite make it count, coming up just a point short in the extra frame as Roy Hibbert's desperation turnaround at the buzzer caught air.
Still, it was a landmark moment - and game - for Russell, who finished with a career-high 23 points in 32 minutes of action. If nothing else, one hopes this loosens the handcuffs some.