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D'Angelo Russell ruled out for Lakers' preseason game vs. Toronto Raptors

The Lakers are playing things safe with the rookie.

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

After initially being listed as a game-time decision for the Los Angeles Lakers' preseason game against the Toronto Raptors in Ontario, D'Angelo Russell has been ruled out of the contest due to to the glute injury he sustained in the Lakers' second contest against the Utah Jazz in Hawaii on Sunday night. Russell was injured attempting to block Jazz center Rudy Gobert at the rim. Nick Young will start in place of the Lakers' prized rookie point guard (although presumably not at point guard, with Jordan Clarkson likely picking up the majority of the ball-handling duties in Russell's stead).

While it is surely disappointing for those who hoped to see Russell play tonight, especially those in Ontario, it is probably best that the Lakers prioritize caution over a meaningless preseason game with the young guard the franchise just selected with its highest lottery pick since selecting James Worthy in 1982.

While Russell will not be suiting up, he was still able to rehab on the court in Ontario, and seemed to be moving well:

Russell's health is worth continually monitoring, but the fact that he was a game time decision and that he tried to go back into Sunday's game would point towards this being just a short term injury.

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