Lakers Roll Over Hawks, D’Angelo Russell Makes Franchise History
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The Los Angeles Lakers cruised to a comfortable 136-105 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. The win came thanks in large part to a dazzling performance by Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell, who not only poured in 27 points but also etched his name in Los Angeles basketball history.
Russell’s hot shooting night included six three-pointers, tying him with Lakers legend Nick Van Exel for the most three-pointers made in a single season by a Lakers player. Van Exel set the record back in the 1994-95 season, and it stood unmatched for nearly three decades.
“That’s another beautiful feeling, knowing what this organization means to me,” Russell said in a post-game interview with Spectrum SportsNet. “To be able to put my name next to some of the Lakers greats, it’s humbling.”
Russell’s record-tying night was just one piece of the puzzle for the Lakers. Anthony Davis, returning from an eye injury, had a dominant performance with 22 points and 15 rebounds. The Lakers as a whole were lights-out from beyond the arc, draining 18 threes on the night.
The Atlanta Hawks, on the other hand, never really found their rhythm. They struggled to contain Russell and Davis, and their own offense sputtered throughout the game. The Lakers’ defense was stifling, and the Hawks simply couldn’t keep pace.
This win is a big one for the Lakers. They’ve been battling for playoff positioning in a tightly contested Western Conference, and every victory counts. Russell’s record-tying performance is a sign of just how good he’s been playing all season long. With Davis back healthy and Russell scorching the nets, the Lakers are looking like a real threat in the West.
