LeBron James showcased his versatility with 25 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds, while D’Angelo Russell led the Lakers’ scoring with 27 points and made history by tying the team’s single-season record for 3-pointers in a commanding 136-105 triumph over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night.
Russell’s impressive performance included six 3-pointers against the Hawks, bringing his total for the season to 183. This achievement surpassed Kobe Bryant’s mark of 180 set in the 2005-06 season and equaled Nick Van Exel’s franchise record from 1994-95.
Reflecting on his accomplishment, Russell expressed his appreciation, saying, “Just to get credit for your game and what you work to do and showcase it every night, and then to get credit for something like this, it’s just really cool.”
In addition to his scoring prowess, Russell also contributed 10 assists. Anthony Davis made his presence felt with 22 points and 15 rebounds, bouncing back from a recent eye injury to deliver a full performance against the Hawks. Despite the option to wear goggles due to a scratched cornea, Davis opted against it, citing experiences from his high school days in Chicago.
The Lakers, eager to halt a two-game losing streak, demonstrated resilience and climbed back up to ninth place in the Western Conference standings. James, in particular, stood out with another stellar performance, amassing 65 points on impressive shooting efficiency over the past two games.
Davis praised James’ contributions, highlighting his scoring prowess, playmaking ability, and defensive intensity.
For the Hawks, Jalen Johnson led the scoring with 25 points, supported by Bogdan Bogdanović’s 17 points. However, they struggled to contain the Lakers’ offensive firepower, particularly Russell and James. Despite the loss, Atlanta coach Quin Snyder acknowledged the challenge of defending against such formidable opponents.
The Hawks faced further setbacks with Johnson rolling his ankle during the game, adding to their injury concerns. Meanwhile, Onyeka Okongwu made a return from a 13-game absence due to a sprained toe, contributing 11 points and four rebounds in his comeback game.
Despite the Hawks’ previous victory over the Lakers in January, the Lakers asserted their dominance throughout the game, maintaining a comfortable lead and sealing the win with Russell’s buzzer-beater 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter.
