The Los Angeles Lakers are down 1-0 to the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference first round, with starting point guard D'Angelo Russell struggling mightily in their 103-114 Game 1 loss. This is a trend for Russell when matched up with the Nuggets in the playoffs, putting up abysmal numbers in these matchups.
Including Game 1 and the four losses in the 2023 Playoffs WCF sweep, Russell has averaged 7.6 points and 3.4 assists against the Nuggets in the playoffs.
Out of the 51 shot attempts Russell has made in these five games, he's only converted 16 at a 31.3% efficiency rate. He's 3-24 on 3-pointers, a shocking 12.5% for the man who set the Lakers record for most 3-pointers made in a season this year.
There isn't much more to add to Russell's struggles. The worst fact would be that his 11 points on 20-shot attempts in Game 1 is his best statistical showing against the Nuggets in these five playoff games. Without Russell's production at guard, there is no realistic way the Lakers can hope to win this series.
Russell's shooting struggles aren't limited to the playoffs, as he averaged 14.0 points, on 40.0% in two losses to the Nuggets this season. While that isn't as bad as his playoff production, it's a marked decrease from his regular-season averages. Something about this matchup causes him to struggle.
We know it isn't the lockdown individual defense of Jamal Murray, so it has to be a combination of the Nuggets' fluid defensive system which can often switch tough matchups such as Kentavious Caldwell-Poper onto Russell, who does a great job of limiting him.
The Lakers Play Better When D'Angelo Russell Is Cooking
The Lakers might have been in the Play-In tournament, but their 47-win record would be considered impressive enough for a playoff spot in most years. Even if it was good enough for No. 8 in the standings, it was a solid feat given how far the Lakers had sunk in January with a 17-19 record, and their point guard D'Lo being removed from the starting lineup.
Unsurprisingly, the Lakers instantly found form when D'Lo was knocking down shots again. He averaged 19.4 points and 6.7 assists since February 2024, as the Lakers went 23-9 in those games. The team is 21-8 this season when Russell scores more than 20 points, a fantastic indicator of how his offensive success can transform the Lakers.
Russell averages 19.7 points in Lakers' wins compared to 15.3 points in Lakers losses. While there may be a temptation to bench him due to the struggles he endures in this matchup, the Lakers must keep trying to get his shot going. If he starts hitting, the complexion of the series changes.
Given the prolific performances from both LeBron James and Anthony Davis, with Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura doing a decent job in Game 1, the onus falls on Russell. He's the x-factor, provided he can overcome his out-of-character production drop-off against the Nuggets.
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