D’Angelo Russell Returns to Face Lakers After Trade to Nets

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — D'Angelo Russell will face his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers, for the first time since being traded to the Brooklyn Nets earlier this month. The matchup, set for Friday night at Crypto.com Arena, marks Russell’s second stint with the Nets and his second “revenge game” against the Lakers.

Russell, a 10-year NBA veteran, was traded to the Nets on Jan. 17, 2025, along with three second-round draft picks, in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton. Since the trade, the Lakers have gone 3-4, while Russell has averaged 12.8 points and 8.3 assists per game in four appearances with Brooklyn.

“It’s exciting,” Russell said ahead of the game. “I’m excited to be on this side, attacking those guys. Obviously, a lot of my friends are over there, so it’s gonna be a different feel, but I’m excited.” Russell described his second tenure with the Lakers as “a blur” but expressed gratitude for his time in Los Angeles.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick anticipates a motivated Russell. “I expect him to come out and try to have a great game,” Redick said. “He does not have a lack of competitiveness. He takes a lot of pride in who he is as a player. I’m expecting him to try to go at us tomorrow.”

Russell’s return comes amid injury concerns, as he is listed as day-to-day with a hamstring issue. Despite the setback, Russell has shown improvement in his playmaking, with his 8.3 assists per game representing a significant increase from his 4.7 average with the Lakers earlier this season.

The Lakers are coming off a comeback victory against the Miami Heat, where they erased a double-digit deficit in the second half. Rookie Dalton Knecht, who played alongside Russell, acknowledged the emotional stakes of the game. “He’s going to go against his old team. He’s going to be ready to play us, and it’s going to be a fun one,” Knecht said.

Russell’s performance could be pivotal for the Nets, who are looking to bounce back after a tough loss to another Los Angeles team earlier in the week. “Short-term memory loss,” Russell said when asked about the team’s mindset. “Obviously, that’s not who we are, what we want to display. So just coming out, trying to respond, and get a win.”

As Russell navigates his second chapter in Brooklyn, he remains focused on finishing the season strong in a contract year. The Lakers, meanwhile, aim to build on their recent momentum and secure a second consecutive win.