Lakers News: D'Angelo Russell Loves LA's New-Look Starting 5

D-Lo and Austin Reaves comprised a formidable backcourt.

Los Angeles Lakers starting point guard D'Angelo Russell didn't show any signs of rust last night. In a successful Lakers retaliation against the Chicago Bulls for the team's Sunday defeat, LA vanquished recent Laker Patrick Beverley's new team, 121-110.

Russell was a key part of that.

Together, the 6'4" vet, a one-time All-Star, and his new starting backcourt mate Austin Reaves combined for 30 points on 10-of-20 shooting from the floor and 5-of-8 shooting from the charity stripe.

After the game, Russell spoke at length about his return to the hardwood for LA and his new partnership with Reaves.

D’Angelo Russell addresses his hip injury, return, and what it’s like playing with the #Lakers on the floor. pic.twitter.com/WRm93xrbPQ

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 30, 2023

"It was great man, to kind of be out there, and get back out there, get things rolling again," Russell said. "Obviously you never want to sit out and miss games. So just to be back out there is a great feeling for sure."

Russell unpacked his fit alongside Austin Reaves in the Lakers' new starting backcourt, while also addressing how he feels about LA's revised first five as a whole.

"I mean don't know if you can name anything Austin Reaves can't really do, on the offensive end. He dominates the game. And myself, I try to do the same. So when you've got us next to those two guys out there [stars Anthony Davis and LeBron James], the game's just super simple. We got off to a great start... AD had [almost] 40 points and 'Bron [played well on a] minute restriction. It was just easy. Never felt like we were stressing. Offense never felt like it wasn't fluid. So I give credit to the guys who were around."

Power forward Jarred Vanderbilt, a one-time teammate of Russell's with the Minnesota Timberwolves, comprises the team's fifth starter. Last night in Chicago, he chipped in eight points on 3-of-5 shooting (2-of-3 from deep somehow), seven rebounds, two dimes and a steal.

At 38-38, the Lakers now occupy the West's eighth seed. They have a chance to improve their playoff standing tomorrow night when they face off against the Wolves, currently the seventh seed at 39-38, in Minnesota,

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