Los Angeles Lakers point guard D'Angelo Russell made history in Monday's 136-105 win over the Atlanta Hawks by tying Nick Van Exel's franchise record for 3-pointers in a season with 183. Coach Darvin Ham praised Russell's shooting abilities, stating that he has a 'green room' to shoot from, emphasizing the trust placed in Russell's skills.
Russell's impressive performance against the Hawks included 27 points and 10 assists, with a 6-for-10 shooting from beyond the 3-point line. The Lakers as a team shot 57.8% and 41.7% from 3-point range in the game.
This season, Russell is shooting a career-best 41.9% from 3-point range, ranking 14th in the league. Coach Ham highlighted Russell's elite shooting prowess, emphasizing its importance for the team.
Van Exel's record of 183 3-pointers in a season stood since 1994-95, but Russell achieved the same feat in his 64th game, surpassing Kobe Bryant for second place. Russell expressed his appreciation for being recognized for his hard work and performance on the court.
Notably, Russell previously set the franchise record for the Brooklyn Nets with 234 3-pointers in a season in 2018-19. The Lakers' victory over the Hawks ended a two-game losing streak, with Anthony Davis returning from injury to contribute 22 points, 15 rebounds, and 6 assists.
All five Lakers starters scored in double digits, with LeBron James also recording a double-double alongside Russell and Davis. Davis expressed confidence in Russell breaking the record in the next game against the Philadelphia 76ers, praising Russell's scoring abilities and the team's support for him.
