The Los Angeles Lakers scored arguably the best and most thrilling win of the season when they overcame a 19-point fourth-quarter deficit to knock off the Milwaukee Bucks, 128-124, in double overtime on Tuesday. Given LeBron James didn’t play due to ankle soreness, it was an auspicious start to a six-game road trip that will take them into April.
Although D’Angelo Russell struggled with his shooting, he had a game-high 12 assists while also pulling down seven rebounds in 50 minutes. He also set up Austin Reaves for the 3-pointer with 38 seconds left in the second overtime that put L.A. ahead for good.
After the game, Russell praised Lakers head coach Darvin Ham, who has been a scapegoat for the team’s shortcomings all season.
D'Angelo Russell showing some love to his head coach:
"Huge win for the team. Darvin was amazing. He drew up some great sets for us at the end of the game."
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) March 27, 2024
Lakers fans have been calling for Ham to be fired since early in the schedule. But the Purple and Gold have a four-game winning streak, and they’re just two games behind the eighth-place Phoenix Suns in the standings.
If they keep up this time of play, perhaps that criticism will turn into plenty of praise weeks from now.