D'Angelo Russell Stuns NBA Fans with Clutch 4Q as Lakers Beat Bucks Without LeBron

 Lakers steal one in Milwaukee: D'Angelo Russell goes Kobe-esque in LeBron's absence.

The Staples Center crowd (soon to be the Crypto.com Arena crowd again, but let's be honest) may have been missing LeBron James' familiar roar, but D'Angelo Russell brought his own Friday night. In a game many expected the Milwaukee Bucks to dominate, Russell stepped up like never before, leading the shorthanded Lakers to a thrilling 123-122 victory.

 

Russell poured in a season-high 44 points, but it was his performance in the fourth quarter that really stole the show. With the game on the line, Russell channeled his inner Kobe Bryant, scoring an astounding 21 of the Lakers' 27 points in the final frame. This is the most Laker points in the fourth quarter since Kobe's legendary farewell game!

 

The clutch gene was undeniable. With just five seconds on the clock, Russell sank a game-winning jumper over a helpless Giannis Antetokounmpo, sending Bucks faithful home and NBA fans erupting in applause.

 

The win is second only to Russell's heroics. The Lakers, missing both LeBron James and Anthony Davis (who left the game with an arm injury), showed incredible resilience. The victory is a massive confidence booster for a team trying to stay afloat in a competitive Western Conference.

 

D'Angelo Russell has always had talent, but had a breakout performance Friday night. After bypassing LeBron, Russell took the opportunity to remind everyone why he was once considered a star of the future. The question remains: Can he continue to be the Lakers' leading scorer despite the odds? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: D'Angelo Russell has officially put the NBA on notice.