The Los Angeles Lakers walked out of San Antonio with a 119-101 win over the Spurs in a must-win game for the Lakers after losing their last three contests. The Spurs came into this game hot with four straight wins, but the Lakers were too big a challenge for them to overcome tonight.
The game saw Chris Paul and D’Angelo Russell in stiff plays with each other at the end of the second quarter. Paul threw a wayward elbow to create space when D’Lo tried guarding him fullcourt, prompting Russell to hip-check the legendary point guard near halfcourt. The players had to be separated by their teams and referees, with Paul seemingly calling Russell ‘a bitch.’
Russell had the final laugh in this game, thoroughly outplaying Paul while the Lakers took the win. The Lakers guard put up 17 points (7-11 FG) and five assists off the bench in the win, while Chris Paul had just five points (1-6 FG) and six assists. Paul was the only Spurs player to have played double-digit minutes in the win and end with a positive +/- (+1), while Russell led the Lakers in that stat with a +19.
Chris Paul is no stranger to on-court disputes with opponents, especially in a Lakers jersey. One of Paul’s most infamous on-court incidents came when he and Rajon Rondo got tangled up during a Lakers vs. Rockets game in 2018, prompting Paul to spit on Rondo in front of the cameras.
Paul plays with a hot head, which is great when it comes to ensuring he’s fired up to play winning basketball. Unfortunately, that mindset can create enemies on the court, especially with Paul being an open trash-talker as well. Russell is not meek or passive, so he definitely was going to stand up for himself after Paul’s initial elbow, which many called a dirty play.
The Spurs guard is having a wonderful start to his 20th season in the NBA, averaging 10.6 points and 8.2 assists. While his production can fluctuate, his presence has already prompted the Spurs to enter the Playoff picture, with a legitimate chance at making the Playoffs for the 19th time this season, ending the Spurs’ six-year wait for a Playoff appearance.
Russell is averaging 11.8 points and 4.9 assists on the Lakers this season, a major reduction from what we have seen from him in the last 18 months. Russell’s production can fluctuate, but this season has been noticeably bad so far. He has had a mini-resurgence since being moved to the bench, but he is heavily rumored to be in trade talks once again.
Both players likely won’t have enduring beef from this incident, but it was interesting to see how the players reacted to what could have been an innocuous exchange which is clarified without a confrontation.
