No. 2 Overall Pick D'Angelo Russell Makes Lakers Debut In Summer League Opener
LAS VEGAS (CBSLA.com) — The Los Angeles Lakers played their first summer league game against the Minnesota Timberwolves as D'Angelo Russell made his Lakers debut. The Timberwolves ended up beating the Lakers 81-68.
The number one overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Karl Anthony-Towns, took on the second overall pick, D'Angelo Russell in both of their first games for their new teams.
Both had impressive performances, as Towns put up 12 points while going 4-10 from the field. Towns also had three rebounds and four assists, while racking up nine fouls. The summer league allows players to commit 10 fouls before they are out of the game. Towns played a little over 30 minutes and looked like he was extremely comfortable, especially when passing the ball.
Russell had eight points on 3-8 shooting, and added six assists, five rebounds and three steals. Russell did a nice job filling out the stat sheet, although the rookie did commit seven fouls. Russell displayed nice passing, and did make one three pointer in three attempts.
Julius Randle also returned to action for the Lakers after breaking his tibia in the regular season opener versus the Rockets last year. Randle was on a minutes restriction and will not play in tomorrow's contest as the Lakers are being cautious bringing back their 7th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.
Randle handled the ball well bringing the ball up the floor multiple times, although only shot 3-9 from the field and scored 11 points. Randle only pulled down one rebound, but did block a shot. He was certainly a bit rusty coming off the leg injury, but it was an encouraging start for the young power forward.
Although the headline of the game was Towns versus Russell, it was two sophomore point guards who stole the show Friday night in Las Vegas.
Timerwolves' Zach LaVine and Lakers' Jordan Clarkson both had outstanding games in their second go around playing in the summer league.
LaVine, who played his college basketball at UCLA, put up a game-high 24 points on 7-17 shooting. He also went 4-8 from the three point line, and added six rebounds and three assists. The former Bruin showed his explosiveness many times throughout the game, and Timberwolves' coach Flip Saunders has to be impressed with what he saw out of LaVine.
LaVine won the 2014 Slam Dunk Contest last season and was selected to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.
Meanwhile, Jordan Clarkson, who was a second round pick out of Missouri last year, put up 23 points himself while going 8-17 from the field. Clarkson hit two three pointers and showed impressive ability to drive and get to the hoop.
Clarkson made the NBA All-Rookie First Team last season, as he averaged 11.9 points per game, 3.2 rebounds per game and 3.5 assists per game in his rookie campaign. He started 38 games last season, and although the Lakers drafted Russell, also a point guard, Byron Scott has said that both Clarkson and Russell will certainly be on the floor together during the season.
Lakers rookie Anthony Brown had an impressive game as well, tallying nine points in 34 minutes. Fellow rookie Larry Nance Jr played only 11 minutes, as he appeared to tweak his knee in the first half.
Russell and Nance both signed their rookie contracts with the Lakers earlier today before the game against the Timberwolves.
A player to watch for the Lakers is 7-f0ot-2 center Robert Upshaw, who blocked three shots (two of Towns' attempts), in just 12 minutes of play. Upshaw was kicked off of both the Washington and Fresno St. basketball programs for violating team rules, which is a major factor in why he was not drafted.
Upshaw is competing for a roster spot and certainly is not guaranteed one, but if the big man can stay in line and continue playing well defensively like he did tonight, he has a legitimate chance to be a difference maker on this Lakers team.
The Lakers will take on the Philadelphia 76ers Saturday night at 8:30 EST in their second game of the summer league season.
