D’Angelo Russell's career stats: Looking at former All-Star’s performance as he is set to return from injury for LA Lakers

D'Angelo Russell is set to return to the court for the LA Lakers on Friday. After dealing with a right ankle sprain, Russell has missed the last six games for the Lakers.

Russell has been a talented combo guard throughout his career in the NBA. After being selected second overall in the 2015 NBA draft, Russell has been an offensive sparkplug throughout his career. During his rookie season, the talented left-handed guard posted an average of 13.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game.

After spending the first two seasons of his NBA career with the LA Lakers, Russell was traded to the Brooklyn Nets. Russell was selected to be his first NBA All-Star team during the 2018–19 season. In addition to shooting 43.4% from the field, he finished the season with an average of 21.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game.

D’Angelo Russell looks to make his return to the LA Lakers

With LeBron James set to be sidelined, the LA Lakers are going to need all the reinforcements they can get. The return of D’Angelo Russell to the court comes at a time of desperation for the Lakers.

Russell has the ability to be an offensive asset for the Lakers, especially down the final stretch of the 2022-23 regular season. In 54 games for the Minnesota Timberwolves this season, Russell has produced respectable statistics, averaging 17.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game.

The talented guard has only played in four games for the Lakers since being acquired at the trade deadline due to the fact that he suffered an ankle injury. In those four games, Russell has gone on to average 13.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game while shooting 44.2% from the field.

The Lakers find themselves at 32-34 for the regular season as they get set to take on the Toronto Raptors on Friday night. With the regular season winding down, the Lakers are currently in ninth place in the Western Conference standings. Los Angeles remains 1.5 games behind the Golden State Warriors for sixth place in the West.

Russell and fellow superstar Anthony Davis will look to carry the Lakers while LeBron James remains sidelined with a foot injury. After tonight’s showdown against Toronto, the Lakers will take on the New York Knicks at home this Sunday. That will be the last game of their homestand before a two game road trip featuring matchups against the New Orleans Pelicans and Houston Rockets.