The Lakers trying season is coming to a close. A good-hearted story is just what this team needed heading into another offseason of growth and development. Last night the Lakers endured career games from Timberwolves young stars Andrew Wiggins and Karl Anthony-Towns to pick up a quality victory, but D’Angelo Russell stole the show.
D’Angelo Russell drilled the game-winning buzzer-beating three-pointer, a triumphant moment for anyone. However, it almost didn’t happen.
Russell told us on @SpectrumSN he found out this morning his grandma died. Said he hit that shot for her. Ran up to hug his family.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) April 10, 2017
Russell lost his grandmother the night before the game, though he found out the morning of. Head coach Luke Walton anticipated he would not be playing after hearing the news, but Russell changed his mind.
Luke Walton said D'Angelo Russell originally wasn't going to play tonight with his grandmother's passing. Russell wanted to play
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) April 10, 2017
That is a pretty bold move from Russell, and a strong play at that. Nobody would expect him to play after suffering a loss in the family, not even his head coach. The end result was a triumphant shot at the buzzer and a victory for a Lakers team that needs some silver linings in otherwise grey clouds. Despite people (correctly) saying that the victory harms the team’s chances in the lottery, this is a positive in many ways.
Russell said his grandma was everything to him, a very strong woman who held the family together. Too young to go. Happened suddenly.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) April 10, 2017
The impact she had on his life is, evidently, very deep. Moments after his game-winning shot Russell immediately ran right over to his family who were in attendance. A touching moment after a great game.
D'Angelo embraces his family after the game-winner, made even more emotional after learning about the passing of his grandma this morning. pic.twitter.com/MfMbUtk5WS
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 10, 2017
