NBA: D’Angelo Russell hits game-winner to lift Lakers past Bucks

Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) celebrates his basket against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 8, 2024, in Los Angeles. The Lakers won 123-122. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

D’Angelo Russell scored the game-winner with 5.9 seconds left, lifting the Los Angeles Lakers to a 123-122 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA.

The Lakers were without superstar LeBron James, who was sidelined with a sore ankle. LeBron is “just experiencing some severe soreness, and we decided not to have him play tonight,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said.

Anthony Davis was slowed by an apparent shoulder injury in the second half, but Russell picked up the slack, scoring 21 of his season-high 44 points in the fourth quarter.

READ: NBA: D’Angelo Russell leads surging Lakers past Thunder

“I just tried to do whatever I could do,” Russell said. “Scoring, assisting, whatever it may be, whatever they need from me… Bron was out, so a lot of guys stepped up.”

D'Angelo Russell WENT OFF for 44 PTS and scored the game-winner to give the Lakers the edge over the Bucks!

🔥 44 PTS
🔥 9 3PM
🔥 9 AST
🔥 6 REB

▪️ Russell joins LeBron James and Kobe Bryant as the only players in Laker history with 9 3PM in a game pic.twitter.com/HYC2LQOGVx

— NBA (@NBA) March 9, 2024

LeBron dismissed the injury after the game, saying it was “just something I’ve been dealing with.”

Ham said the injury isn’t a major cause of concern for the Lakers, who are struggling to make up any significant ground in the Western Conference playoff race despite being on a 10-5 surge since the start of February. The Lakers host West-leading Minnesota on Sunday.

Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes, guard Spencer Dinwiddie and guard D’Angelo Russell, from right, celebrate the team’s 123-122 win over the Milwaukee Bucks in an NBA basketball game Friday, March 8, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

“I think it’s caused by 21 years of service,” Ham said. “We think it’s a day-by-day thing, and we’re going to treat it as such. See how he feels tomorrow. … Bron does a great job of preparing himself to go to battle. It’s something you’ve got to be aware of and constantly monitor. It’s the reality of a long NBA season and an extremely long career.”

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The Lakers withstood Giannis Antetokounmpo’s triple-double of 34 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists. After trailing most of the game, Milwaukee took the lead on an Antetokounmpo jump shot with 2:53 to play.

The Bucks pushed their lead to six points with less than two minutes remaining when Damian Lillard converted a four-point play.

But Russell scored eight points in the last 1:13 and Lakers forward Spencer Dinwiddie blocked Lillard’s potential game-winner at the buzzer.