Lakers Bench D’Angelo Russell Amid Four-Game Losing Streak, per Report

The Los Angeles point guard will now anchor the second unit.

The Los Angeles Lakers have lost four straight games, and as a result, are planning to move forward with a new starting lineup beginning on Saturday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

D’Angelo Russell will move to the bench, and the Lakers will start LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Cam Reddish, Taurean Prince and Jarred Vanderbilt as they look to stop the slide.

Russell has started all 28 games that he’s played this season, and is averaging 15.3 points and 6.3 assists per game on 46.2% shooting from the floor. 

As the Lakers search for a spark, they’ll do so with Russell anchoring the second unit alongside wing Austin Reaves.

Entering Saturday night’s contest with Oklahoma City, Los Angeles is 15–14 on the season, which is good for ninth place in the West.

Los Angeles is hoping that a lineup shakeup can spark a change in recent results. After playing in Oklahoma City on Saturday, the Lakers return home for a Christmas Day showdown with the NBA-best Boston Celtics (22–6).

In a tough two game stretch ahead, Los Angeles will look to get back in the win column beginning Saturday night.