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The Los Angeles Lakers looked set to lose a game that would’ve given them a chance to tie the Phoenix Suns (with a little luck) for the second-worst record in the NBA, which would’ve given them about five percent better odds to keep their top-three protected lottery pick.
At least, that’s how things appeared until D’Angelo Russell gave fans the latest reminder of the ice in his veins:
#3Angelo beats the buzzer to win the game! #LakeShow ( : @SpectrumSN & @spectdeportes) pic.twitter.com/1YpZWsNXi6
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 10, 2017
❄️❄️❄️!! #LakersWin pic.twitter.com/hw9yQLjGJ7
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 10, 2017
Larry knows where the ice is ❄️❄️❄️ #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/MNBsLvFw9j
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 10, 2017
After the game, Russell could only offer credit to one source for the improbable shot:
Russell told us on @SpectrumSN he found out this morning his grandma died. Said he hit that shot for her. Ran up to hug his family.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) April 10, 2017
It’s probably why his family was the first place he ran afterwards:
D'Angelo Russell hits the @TISSOT buzzer-beater. #ThisIsYourTime
— NBA (@NBA) April 10, 2017
Lakers win 110-109 despite a big night from Towns & Wiggins. #NBAGIF pic.twitter.com/X8lTyKnBjH
According to Lakers Head Coach Luke Walton, Russell wasn’t even originally going to play:
The plan this morning was for Russell not to play. He texted Luke on the way in to tell him he wanted to play. Luke said, "Of course."
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) April 10, 2017
"I get goosebumps even talking about the way the game ended. How awesome for him on such a tough day," Walton on Russell
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) April 10, 2017
In addition to being a nice story, this buzzer-beater was the most “Lakers” game winner possible. At the buzzer, bouncing around the rim, there was really no more perfect way for this specific team to win a game this season.
Harrison Faigen is co-host of the Locked on Lakers podcast (subscribe here), and you can follow him on Twitter at @hmfaigen.