D'Angelo Russell Cleared To Play For Lakers Against Toronto Raptors

Photo: Instagram/D'Angelo Russell 

The Los Angeles Lakers have been playing without their primary ball handlers, LeBron James and D’Angelo Russell, for most of the season.

While James is expected to be out for a couple more weeks, Russell's return seems imminent.

He was upgraded to questionable before the Lakers' game against the Memphis Grizzlies but was eventually ruled out.

Photo: Instagram/D'Angelo Russell 

However, coach Darvin Ham gave a positive update on Russell's status after the game, stating that he is targeting a return against the Toronto Raptors on Friday if his workout goes well.

The Lakers wanted to get Russell some more live-action in a playgroup before determining whether he feels healthy enough to return.

They did exactly that, and Ham confirmed that Russell will be returning on Friday.

Russell himself confirmed that he is ready to go and pain-free after practice.

Getting Russell back will be a huge boost for the Lakers in the home stretch of the regular season as they make a push toward the playoffs.

While they have done well in his absence, winning four of six games with players like Austin Reaves, Dennis Schroder, and Troy Brown Jr. stepping up, having Russell back will add playmaking and shooting to the roster, especially with James continuing to miss games.

Brown, one of the players who stepped up in Russell's absence, has been providing the Lakers with stellar perimeter defense and timely shooting.

Reaves believes that Brown does not get enough credit for the season he is having in L.A. despite always chasing around the team's best player, rebounding the ball well, and shooting with confidence.

Reaves thinks that Brown is a very capable shooter and that he should shoot with as much confidence as he can because they know he can make it.

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Source: Lakers Nation