Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell is set to miss the game on Tuesday against the new orleans Pelicans. The 21-year-old's grandmother passed away on Sunday and he has returned to his hometown Louisville. The guard out of Ohio State has played in 63 games so far this season for the Lakers. He was a starter in 60 of those 63 games played and has been averaging 15.6 points and 4.8 assists per game on the season.
D'Angelo Russell returned home to Louisville to be with his family. He is not expected back for tomorrow's game, per Luke Walton.
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 10, 2017
Lakers officially list D'Angelo Russell as out for tomorrow while he sees family. Luke had said he wasn't expecting Russell to play
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) April 10, 2017
Russell decided to play on Sunday night at Staples Center against the Minnesota Timberwolves -- the same day his grandmother had passed away.
He scored a clutch three-pointer with no time remaining on the clock to give the Lakers an 110-109 victory over the Timberwolves. In a day and game which won't be ever forgotten by Russell, he scored 16 points and had four assists and four rebounds to go with three steals in 34 minutes of play.
#3Angelo beats the buzzer to win the game! #LakeShow (📺: @SpectrumSN & @spectdeportes) pic.twitter.com/1YpZWsNXi6
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 10, 2017
Tyler Ennis could get his second start in L.A.
Canadian basketball player Tyler Ennis is one of the names mentioned as D'Angelo Russell's replacement in the starting unit. The 22-year-old could get his second start for the Los Angeles Lakers when the team meets the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday.
The guard from Canada was added to the team at this year's NBA trade deadline and has been given some playing minutes by Lakers coach Luke Walton.
Ennis has played some good basketball recently, averaging 12 points and 3.4 assists in 25.4 minutes per game in the last five games, reveals ESPN. The Canadian had a notable performance on Sunday against the Timberwolves -- scored 20 points on a great 7-of-9 shooting from the field, making four of five of his three-point attempts.
He did also dish out five assists in 23 minutes spent on the floor.
If Russell out tomorrow, Luke said Ennis, Nwaba, Brewer or even Metta would start at PG. I think he was joking about Metta....I think.
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) April 10, 2017
New Orleans Pelicans set to be without their two stars
The New Orleans Pelicans are reportedly set to meet the Los Angeles Lakers without its stars DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis available.
Both forwards are battling with injuries -- Cousins with a right Achilles injury, while Davis is having problems with his left knee. It will be a big blow for the Pelican team, as the two have been averaging more than 50 points combined together per game in Pelican uniform.
DeMarcus Cousins (R Achilles) and Anthony Davis (L knee) both listed as out for tomorrow vs. Lakers. E'Twaun Moore (L ankle) is probable.
— Justin Verrier (@JustinVerrier) April 10, 2017
26-year-old Cousins will be missing his third game in a row after not playing against the Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors previously. Meanwhile, power forward Davis won't be playing for the second straight game after not competing against the Warriors. In the absence of Cousins and Davis against the Warriors, New Orleans had Dante Cunningham at power forward position and Alexis Ajinca at center.
