Anthony Davis & Dorian Finney-Smith out, D’Angelo Russell returns

The Los Angeles Lakers get their first look at D’Angelo Russell back at Crypto.com Arena, but this time in a different uniform, as they host the Brooklyn Nets, who are looking to stay in the top six of the Western Conference.

Russell was traded to the Nets along with Maxwell Lewis in late December in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton. The deal was intended to give the Lakers additional wing depth and make Austin Reaves the primary creator of the offense.

The Lakers are 3-4 since the trade, but Finney-Smith has been an incredible addition to the rotation. However, he is out on Friday night. Finney-Smith welcomed his newborn son earlier this week and missed Wednesday night’s game against the Miami Heat due to personal reasons, where he is now playing his second straight contest.

Additionally, Anthony Davis was a late scratch due to plantar fasciitis, so Jaxson Hayes will start in his place and should see significant minutes.

With all the injuries on the Nets side, including Cam Thomas, it looks like Russell could be the main focus for both Brooklyn and LA on the offensive end. Head coach JJ Redick is already prepared for an offensive outburst from Russell, as that’s typically how it goes in situations like these.

Russell is always unafraid to shoot the ball and can do so with great efficiency. Add in a specific motivation and a lack of other significant options, and the recipe calls for a high-volume shooting game from the Nets guard.

And without Finney-Smith or Jarred Vanderbilt, the Lakers must rely on Reaves, Milton, Gabe Vincent and Max Christie as their Russell stoppers. Hopefully, knowing how Russell likes to operate should give them an advantage, as slowing him down could be the key to the Lakers getting an easier win.

The Nets are not going to win many games the rest of the way this season. But the Lakers have gotten complacent before, and need to stay focused on the task at hand if they want to stay in the top six in a crowded West, especially with Davis out.

LA is currently no. 6 seed, but is one game behind the LA Clippers as no. 5 and just two games ahead of the Golden State Warriors no. 11.

Los Angeles Lakers (21-17) vs. Brooklyn Nets (14-27)

Friday 17 January 2025 at 19.30 PT
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California
TV: Spectrum SportsNet
Radio: 710 AM ESPN LA

Expected Lakers starting lineup:

PG: Austin Reaves
SG: Max Christie
SF: Rui Hachimura
PF: LeBron James
C: Jaxson Hayes

Key reserves: Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, Shake Milton

Expected net starting line-up:

PG: Noah Clowney
SG: Ziaire Williams
SF: Keon Johnson
PF: Ben Simmons
C: Nic Claxton

Key reserves: Jalen Wilson, D’Angelo Russell, Day’Ron Sharpe

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