Things have been gloomy for the Los Angeles Lakers lately, but the team might finally be getting some good news. Starting point guard D’Angelo Russell participated in practice for the second day in a row and could play in the Lakers’ Tuesday game against the Denver Nuggets depending on how he feels, according to Serena Winters of Lakers Nation.
Russell has been out for nine days since sustaining an MCL sprain, calf strain and bone bruise in his right leg in the opening minutes of the Lakers’ win over the Indiana Pacers. He was originally slated to miss 1-2 weeks, and a return against the Nuggets would align with that timetable.
It’s unknown as of right now if he would be on a minutes restriction should he return against Denver, but the Lakers (who are nearly four points better per 100 possessions when Russell plays versus when he sits) will be grateful for whatever they can get from their second-year floor general.
Russell put up shots at the end of practice in front of the media as well, so we do have visual confirmation he can still make basketball motions:
D'Angelo Russell isn't cleared yet, but there have been a lot of positive signs. Here he is shooting some. pic.twitter.com/RMqFpjMNST
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) January 30, 2017
Stay tuned to Silver Screen and Roll for more updates on Russell’s status.
All stats per NBA.com and Basketball-Reference.com. Harrison Faigen is co-host of the Locked on Lakers podcast (subscribe here), and you can follow him on Twitter at @hmfaigen.