Los Angeles Lakers point guard D'Angelo Russell. (Photo : Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers' second overall pick D'Angelo Russell suffered a bad fall during the team's preseason game against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday, which resulted in a bruised glute, temporary paralysis of lower extremities, and him being pulled out early in the game. But is it bad enough to become Julius Randle part II?
Russell himself said "No".
"I just couldn't really move," the 19-year-old told reporters, as per Bleacher Report. "After it kind of loosened it up a little bit, I was able to move a little bit."
It was the opening quarter of the Lakers and Jazz's second preseason game in Hawaii when Russell, left under the rim to stop an incoming 7-foot-1 Rudy Gobert, went up to defend the French giant but lost balance when the two collided, making him hit the floor backside first and was motionless for about a minute before he was helped off the floor.
After the Julius Randle debacle last season, it is not surprising that most of the Lakers' players, coaches, staff, and fans held their collective breaths for all those 60 seconds before blowing out a sigh of relief after seeing Russell being able to stand up and move.
"I feel fine," he said. "I wanted to get back out there. But Gary Vitti and the rest of the staff said they didn't think it would be a smart idea."
Lakers Nation indicated that the injury was not serious and that Russell would be suiting up in the team's next game, but the coaches just want to make a "cautious approach" as they do not want a repeat of last year's misfortune with the 2014 seventh overall selection Randle.
