Lakers News: D'Angelo Russell Pauses Own Presser To Praise Teammate's Big Night

He's becoming one of the most supportive colleagues on the roster!

Fresh off yet another superlative performance, this time a team-high 29-point masterpiece against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday, Los Angeles Lakers starting point guard D'Angelo Russell was all about his teammates when it came time to his postgame presser.

D-Lo scored those 29 points on Russellon an efficient 10-of-18 shooting from the floor and 1-of-2 from the charity stripe. He also dished out four assists, blocked two shots and snagged one steal.

Taking the podium alongside backcourt mate Austin Reaves (who also chipped in 20 points of his own, on 7-of-9 shooting from the field and 4-of-4 shooting from the foul line, plus eight assists and three rebounds), Russell paused his own conversation to hype reserve LA forward Jarred Vanderbilt, who scored 17 points (his most as a Laker) while locking up several different Bulls all night long.

D’Angelo Russell interrupted his postgame interview to give Jarred Vanderbilt his flowers.

DLo: “How about Vando tonight?”

Austin Reaves: “He should be in here instead of me.” #Lakeshow @SportingTrib pic.twitter.com/1K5Vnvwej7

— Lauren Jones (@LoJoMedia) January 26, 2024

Per

Lauren Jones of The Sporting Tribune

, Russell stopped the chatter to ask, "How about Vando tonight?"

"He should be in here instead of me," Reaves raved.

Across 26:50 off the bench (the most for a reserve), Vanderbilt scored those 17 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the floor (including 1-of-1 from deep!), while also grabbing five rebounds, swiping three steals and blocking one shot.

The 141-132 LA win helped the Lakers improve to a .500 record at 23-23, while dropping Chicago to 21-25.