D’Angelo Russell’s Big Game Signals Redemption Season in Dallas

The D’Angelo Russell narrative took a major turn after the Dallas Mavericks snatched a 139-129 victory over the Toronto Raptors. After a quiet start to the season and lingering questions about his role, Russell exploded for 24 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals in just 29 minutes. The highlight came after missing his first seven shots: with 1.5 seconds left on the shot clock, he launched a fadeaway three, swished it, and flashed the “three fingers” to the crowd. That moment perfectly captured his comeback.

D’Angelo Russell’s Big Game Signals Redemption Season in Dallas

The Quiet Storm Before the Surge

At the start of the season, Russell’s situation felt uncertain. He joined Dallas on a two-year deal after a sub-par split season and initially saw limited minutes. Rookie Cooper Flagg started at the point guard spot, leaving Russell on the outside. Across the first two losses, he logged just 23 combined minutes, raising doubts about how he fit into Jason Kidd’s rotation. Rather than letting that define him, Russell used it as motivation to refocus and prepare for the moment when his contributions mattered most.

The Game That Re-Defined D’Angelo Russell

Against Toronto, Russell tallied 24 points on 8-of-18 shooting, including 2-of-7 from three, along with six assists and three steals. After missing his first seven attempts, he nailed a fadeaway three late in the second quarter that changed the game’s momentum. His defensive contributions and timely playmaking showed he was ready to impact both ends of the floor. Coach Kidd remarked: “That’s D-Lo at his best. Being able to play-make, score, and then find guys.”