Scoring a career-high 39 points against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, Los Angeles Lakers rookie D'Angelo Russell showed that the franchise will be in good hands after Kobe Bryant retires at the end of the season.
With Bryant injured and watching from the bench, Russell put on a show, leading the Lakers to their 12th win of the season by defeating the Nets 107-101. Russell finished the game with 39 points -- the most scored by a rookie this season and the most ever by a Lakers rookie in the regular season -- six rebounds and three assists. He shot 14 of 21 and also drilled eight 3-pointers, shooting 66.6 from behind the arc, going 8 of 12 from long range.
Russell's eighth 3-pointer, in the closing moments of the fourth, sealed the victory for the Lakers. After making the shot, Russell pointed to his shooting arm and kept shouting that he had "ice in my veins."
Russell's rookie season has been inconsistent at times but with games like this, it is clear to see that the Lakers have a promising point guard to build around for the future.
