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D’Angelo Russell out vs. Jazz with left foot soreness

After exiting Sunday’s game with an injury, D’Angelo Russell was downgraded from probable to questionable for Tuesday’s game for the Lakers against the Jazz with left foot soreness.

NBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

Things were going too well for the Lakers in recent games which meant an injury was due. After sitting out the second half of Sunday’s win over Houston, D’Angelo Russell was initially listed as probable for Tuesday’s game against the Jazz.

However, on Wednesday morning, D’Lo was downgraded to questionable with left foot soreness, before ultimately being ruled out just over an hour before the game:

At halftime of Sunday’s game against the Rockets, Russell was ruled out with left foot soreness, a new injury from the handful he’s suffered from.

After the game, head coach Darvin Ham said the move was precautionary and that Russell could have played if he was needed. Given the caliber of the opponent and that the Lakers won handily without him, it seems like a calculated risk.

As much fun as Russell’s return to Los Angeles has been, it’s been on marred by injuries. He twisted his ankle on a Warriors player’s foot and was out for six games. Then, right hip soreness ruled him out for a pair of contests after seven games back.

But after D’Lo returned on Wednesday in Chicago, the Lakers looked incredible for 2.5 games. That led up to the Houston game where, in the first half, Russell had six points, four assists, and three rebounds on 2-4 shooting in 15 minutes.

The Lakers wrap up their road trip on Tuesday against the Jazz before returning to Los Angeles for a “road” game against the Clippers on Wednesday. It’s the final week of the season, so every game matters as the Lakers look to move up the playoff standings.

With Russell, the Lakers’ starting lineup has been excellent. Coming into Sunday’s game, the Russell, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Anthony Davis lineup had a net rating of +13.7 in 28 minutes together across three games.

It is fitting that the final week of the season will include some injury drama as that has been the one constant throughout the season for the Lakers. Here’s to crossed fingers that this isn’t a serious injury that costs Russell extended time.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude.

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