Russell isn't in the starting five for Monday's Game 4 against the Nuggets, Chris Haynes of Turner Sports reports.
Dennis Schroder will replace Russell in the starting lineup Monday. Russell is averaging 7.0 points, 4.0 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 26.3 minutes on 29.6 percent shooting from the field across the first three games of the series, so his move to the bench isn't surprising.
Russell posted three points (1-8 FG, 1-6 3Pt), three rebounds and four assists over 20 minutes during Saturday's 119-108 loss to Denver in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.
Russell was ice cold in the loss, going 1-of-8 from the floor, ending with three points in 20 minutes. His form has been wildly inconsistent throughout the playoffs, highlighted by this performance. The Lakers now trail 0-3 to the Nuggets, with Game 4 slated for Monday in Los Angeles. They are going to have to do what no team has ever done should they hope to reach the NBA Finals.
Lakers' D'Angelo Russell: Posts second-best playoff result
Rotowire
Russell had 21 points (8-13 FG, 5-8 3Pt), three rebounds, five assists and one steal across 29 minutes during Saturday's 127-97 victory over Golden State in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Russell did most of his damage in the first quarter, scoring 13 of his 21 points. LeBron James failed to take a shot in the first quarter, which was possibly one reason for Russell's heavy involvement to begin the game. With the game put away, Russell sat in the fourth quarter, which affected all of the starters' totals.
Russell totaled 19 points (9-19 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 0-1 FT), three rebounds, six assists, one block and one steal in 33 minutes during Tuesday's 117-112 win over the Warriors in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Unsurprisingly, Anthony Davis (30 points and 23 rebounds) and LeBron James (22 points and 11 boards) led the Lakers in Game 1, but Russell and Dennis Schroder (19 points off bench) provided solid secondary scoring and were critical in Los Angeles' road victory. To go along with his 19 points, 10 of which were scored in the third quarter, Russell led the team with six assists and is currently averaging 17.0 points, 5.9 assists and 3.6 rebounds in 31.3 minutes across seven postseason contests thus far.
