Lakers center D’Angelo Russell is not likely to play on Sunday as the team takes on the Mavericks in Dallas.
“I doubt he’ll be playing this Sunday.” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said on Friday about Russell who was injured on his right ankle in the opening quarter in Thursday’s win against The Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena.
Russell was injured after stepping on the feet that Golden State’s Donnie diVincenzo while he was inbounding the ball and injuring his ankle.
“He’s continuing to go through different treatments,” Ham said after the practice. “There was no official statement. It’s not an injury that’s been sprained. The thing is, it’s sprained I’d say. There’s no structural injury or any other damage. It’s an ongoing thing that’s in a sense.”
Ham claimed Russell did not undergo an MRI examination on Friday, but only “in-house treatments.”
“I mean, he’s good. I’ve seen him. He’s doing well,” forward Jarred Vanderbilt told reporters. “I’ll leave it to the medical team. I’m not sure what time he’ll be gone or if he’s out. However I saw the man this morning. He’s smiling.”
In the four games he has played with The Lakers, Russell is averaging 13.5 points, 5.0 assists and 3.5 rebound.
He’s shooting 44.2 percent in the open field and 35.3 percentage from the 3-point distance.
“He’s thrilled about what’s going on in the club and the activities he’s hoping to take part in,” Ham said. “Us trying to put the ship in the best place to move forward for the remainder this season. … His enthusiasm has been fantastic. He’s been fantastic.
“Even even though he’s unable to participate physically alongside the other members of the team however, he’s still here to us talk about Dallas. While doing some activities in the courts, but he’s watching from the sidelines, taking everything in and trying to study our system, our language. It’s a good guy. It’s a positive atmosphere.”
