In a 136-105 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night, LeBron James finished with 25 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds, and D’Angelo Russell scored 27 points, tying the Lakers’ single-season record for 3-pointers.
After making six 3-pointers against the Hawks, Russell’s season total of 183 has passed Kobe Bryant’s 180 from the 2005–06 campaign and tied the franchise record set by Nick Van Exel in 1994–95. Before the Lakers used their whole bench, Russell’s most recent impressive shooting performance was capped off with a stunning 3-pointer at the third-quarter buzzer. He then made two more early in the fourth quarter to tie the record.
The Lakers won their 13th victory in 20 games, ending a two-game losing streak. Russell added 10 assists, while Anthony Davis finished with 22 points and 15 rebounds since losing in Atlanta in late January. Davis left Saturday’s loss to Golden State early with a scratched cornea in his left eye, but the All-Star big man recovered quickly enough to start against the Hawks.
Los Angeles secured a win over Golden State, moving up to ninth place in the Western Conference standings. Jalen Johnson scored 25 points and Bogdan Bogdanovic 17 for the Hawks, who have lost four of five overall and three of four on their West Coast road trip. Onyeka Okongwu had 11 points and four rebounds in his return from a 13-game injury absence due to a sprained left toe. Trae Young missed his 12th straight game following hand surgery but scored 26 points with six 3-pointers. Los Angeles gradually pulled away from the Hawks, hitting 60% of its shots in the first half and moving the ball smoothly. Russell’s fourth 3-pointer helped boost the Lakers’ lead to 111-86 heading into the fourth.
(AP)
