D'Angelo Russell continues to lead the Brooklyn Nets and show his potential in the NBA. On Tuesday (October 24), the Nets lost to the Orlando Magic (125-121), but Russell may have won the night with two spectacular plays.
Versus the Orlando Magic, D'Angelo Russell "nutmegged" center Nikola Vucevic twice. The term "nutmeg" refers to a pass in basketball that goes between the legs of the defender. The first time Russell did this was in the second quarter when the Brooklyn Nets were leading, 51-44. He tried to assist Jarrett Allen, who failed to convert on the play.
In the third quarter, Russell victimized Vucevic again, this time dishing the ball to Timofey Mozgov who went for a slam.
Russell top-scored for the Nets in the defeat. The 21-year-old recorded 29 points, 12 were from the three-point territory. He also tallied five rebounds, an assist, and two steals.
Starter support
D'Angelo Russell was not the only Brooklyn Nets starter who scored in double-digits in the loss. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, DeMarre Carroll, and Caris LeVert joined Russell. Hollis Jefferson was the second-best scorer for the Nets with 18 points. The veteran Carroll continues to prove that he can score as he had 17, while LeVert added 15 points. Brooklyn got help from its second unit as all players who came off the bench contributed on offense.
However, it was not enough as no one finished in double figures. Trevor Booker led the Nets' reserves with his seven points.
Magical Aaron Gordon
If the Brooklyn Nets relied on D'Angelo Russell, the Orlando Magic had Aaron Gordon. The high-flying forward spearheaded the attack for the Magic and exploded for a career-best 41 points.
He went 14-of-18 from the field, including a perfect shooting clip from beyond the arc (5-of-5). Gordon completed a double-double performance as he grabbed 14 rebounds as well. Evan Fournier (28 points), D.J. Augustin (19 points), Nikola Vucevic and Jonathon Simmons (both had 12 points) helped Gordon in the win over the Nets.
Next games
Up next for D'Angelo Russell and the Brooklyn Nets is a game on October 25 against arguably the best team in the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs are coming off a victory over the Chicago Bulls. Meanwhile, Aaron Gordon and the Orlando Magic are set to take on the San Antonio Spurs at home on October 27. In the preseason, the Magic scored a surprising win versus the Spurs.
