Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham has stated that he is not considering benching D’Angelo Russell following his scoreless performance in Game 3 against the Denver Nuggets, as reported by Jovan Buha.
Despite criticism for his behavior during the game, including sitting apart from the team huddle, Russell remains part of the Lakers’ plans moving forward.
The defending champions Nuggets secured a 112-105 victory over the Lakers in Game 3 of their first-round series, placing the Lakers on the brink of elimination.
Led by standout performances from Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr., the Nuggets displayed their championship caliber, extending their winning streak over the Lakers to 11 games.
Despite the Lakers’ dire situation in the series, trailing 0-3, the team showed resilience with strong performances from Anthony Davis and LeBron James.
Davis contributed 33 points and 15 rebounds, while James added 26 points and nine assists, demonstrating their commitment to the team’s success despite the challenges they face.
Ham’s decision not to bench Russell underscores the team’s belief in his abilities and potential impact. As the Lakers prepare for Game 4, they will rely on Russell and the rest of the team to bounce back and avoid elimination in the playoffs.
