Absolutely! D’Angelo Russell showcased his long-range shooting prowess against the Atlanta Hawks, nailing six 3-pointers and playing a crucial role in the Lakers’ victory. In doing so, he tied Nick Van Exel as the franchise leader for most made 3-pointers in a single season.
Heading into their matchup with the Sixers, Russell only needed one more successful shot from beyond the arc to claim the record outright. He accomplished this feat with a 3-pointer in the game’s early stages. With that achievement, Russell now stands alone as the Lakers’ all-time leader in 3-pointers made in a season, surpassing Nick Van Exel’s previous record of 183.
Russell expressed his gratitude for the accomplishment, describing it as “really cool” and appreciating the recognition for his hard work and consistent performance. This season has been particularly exceptional for Russell’s shooting from downtown, as he boasts a career-best 42% shooting percentage from beyond the arc.
One of Russell’s standout performances in terms of 3-point shooting came against the Milwaukee Bucks, where he set a personal record by sinking nine 3-pointers in a single game. He joins an elite group of players in Lakers history who have made over 150 3-pointers in a season, with only Nick Van Exel, Kobe Bryant, and himself having reached the 180 mark.
Despite playing fewer than 250 games for the Lakers, Russell has already cemented his place in the franchise’s top ten for all-time 3-pointers made. With 12 games remaining in the season, he aims to extend his record further and continue providing the Lakers with a significant offensive threat.
Russell’s success from beyond the arc has been pivotal for the Lakers this season, as they have set a new franchise record with 22 made 3-pointers in a game against the Grizzlies. His shooting has addressed a historical weakness for the team, providing spacing for star players like LeBron James and Anthony Davis to operate effectively.
While Russell may have his off nights, his ability to catch fire from deep makes him a formidable force on the court. The Lakers rely on his scoring contributions, which have proven crucial in important games and their push for a higher position in the standings, positioning themselves favorably for the postseason.
The extent to which Russell can extend the 3-point record remains to be seen, but his scoring prowess will be essential for the Lakers as they strive to secure their place in the playoffs and make a deep postseason run.