With 4:35 left within the first quarter of the Nets‘ 130-113 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, D’Angelo Russell walked onto the Scotiabank Enviornment courtroom for the primary time together with his new staff.
But the sight was so acquainted.
The 28-year-old stored patting his head to make sure his braided bun was styled and durable. He stopped simply past halfcourt for a fast chat with Cam Johnson, who made positive his latest teammate knew precisely the place he wanted to be.
It was Russell’s first time dawning a Brooklyn uniform since April 2019 in a first-round playoff collection in opposition to the Philadelphia 76ers. Ben Simmons was an All-Star with the 76ers again then.
Russell arrived having loads of historical past with Simmons relationship again to their highschool days at Montverde Academy. However north of the border, surrounded by a number of new faces, with little apply time, the ex-Los Angeles Laker made his 2025 Nets debut. And what a debut it was.
It didn’t take lengthy for Russell to search out his match. He turned it over rapidly after checking in for Simmons, however moments later, he knocked down a pull-up 3-pointer, picked up a steal on the different finish then completed with a layup in transition.
Brooklyn closed the primary quarter on a 15-8 run after Russell checked in and took a 33-26 lead into the second. The previous All-Star had seven factors, two assists and one steal in his first 5 minutes on the courtroom, spearheading a 52.2% staff capturing effort. He was locked in and already showcasing his capturing expertise and fluidity within the open courtroom, and he solely obtained hotter as the sport matured.
Russell had 16 factors by halftime, tied for his second-highest-scoring half this season. No Raptor may velocity him up Wednesday evening and he continued to dominate at his personal methodical tempo. He completed the sport with 22 factors (9-for-13 capturing), two rebounds, eight assists, two blocks and one steal in 26 minutes off the bench. It was his fourth 20-point recreation of the season.
Led by Russell, Brooklyn’s reserves outscored Toronto’s 49-28.
Johnson added 24 factors and three treys within the loss. Nic Claxton contributed 16 factors and 10 rebounds, and Keon Johnson prolonged his profession greatest streak of video games scoring in double figures to 5 with 17 factors.
The Raptors shot 59.1%, paced by Scottie Barnes, who had 33 factors 15 rebounds and 5 assists. They made 10 extra area objectives than Brooklyn received the fourth quarter 36-22.
Noah Clowney suffered a decrease again harm late within the third quarter and didn’t return. Maxwell Lewis, who was traded to Brooklyn alongside Russell, performed one minute, knocked down his first tried, and needed to be carried off the courtroom after struggling an obvious left knee harm.
The Nets fell to 12-21 with the loss and have now dropped three straight video games. How Russell matches in going ahead will probably be fascinating to look at.
Brooklyn, persevering with to stockpile future property, obtained three second-rounders in its commerce for Russell. These will probably be useful down the street. But when the objective is to lose video games and give attention to the 2025 NBA Draft lottery, will a participant of Russell’s caliber in the end be dangerous?
The Nets have been solely plus-2 with Russell on the courtroom, however momentum appeared to shift of their favor every time he checked in. He’s a floor-raiser and enjoyable to look at. Russell is within the ultimate 12 months of his present deal, so best-case state of affairs for Brooklyn, he improves his inventory and provides the franchise one other invaluable veteran asset come Feb. 6.
Whatever the Nets’ plans, Russell definitely has loads of motivation to be at his greatest.
