D'Angelo Russell Injury Update: Lakers guard "probable" for game against Hornets
D'Angelo Russell, the second-year guard, could return to action during the Los Angeles Lakers' next road game against the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday evening, per reports.
The team's latest injury report has listed Russell listed as "probable" -- a day after he was listed as "out" due to rest. Russell had missed the previous game against the Cleveland Cavaliers as a precautionary measure since it was a back-to-back game after Friday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
The former Ohio State standout has already missed 13 games this season due to persisting issues with his sore left knee. Russell returned to action last Sunday in a home loss against the New York Knicks and struggled to make an impact against the Sacramento Kings and Brooklyn Nets before regaining his rhythm during the win against the Sixers on Friday. But coach Luke Walton decided to rest Russell a night later against the Cavs, a decision that raised questions about the extent of the guard's injury.
D'Angelo Russell likely to return against Hornets
Even though Russell didn't practice with the team on Sunday, he was listed "probable" during Monday's injury report which was released by ESPN's Baxter Holmes.
Lakers just released a new injury report -- updated as of today -- for Tuesday's game at Charlotte: pic.twitter.com/Gd3RWdBJvC
— Baxter Holmes (@BaxterHolmes) December 18, 2016
Lakers beat writer Tania Ganguli confirmed that Russell hasn't been ruled out for the game in Charlotte.
Lakers say the injury report on their Charlotte game notes is not for the game. Just a review of last night. Russell hasn't been ruled out.
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) December 18, 2016
Recently, Russell told ESPN in an interview that he's determined to carry the Purple & Gold back to the glory days after three subpar seasons. “Going around the league, people know, ‘Oh, he got in some trouble’ or ‘He didn’t play well his rookie year’ or ‘He’s a bust.’ That’s the headline. I’m going to have a million more opportunities to create new headlines, and I can’t wait. Can’t wait.”
After the game against the Hornets, Russell and the Lakers travel to Florida to face the Orlando Magic (Thursday) and Miami Heat (Friday) in back-to-back games before returning home to host the Los Angeles Clippers on Christmas day.
D'Angelo Russell is reportedly still on a minutes’ restriction and would likely sit out at least one of the next three road games unless the Lakers training staff clear him for the same.
