The Los Angeles Lakers entered the 2023-24 NBA season with high expectations, but their 3-3 start has left some fans disappointed.

D’Angelo Russell’s early-season contributions have played a key role in the team’s success thus far. However, in a game against the Orlando Magic, Russell had a relatively quiet performance with 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. Despite this, his teammate Austin Reaves expressed his admiration for Russell, as reported by Lakers Daily on Twitter.

”One thing D-Lo don’t lack is confidence. … A lot of people will go back and trash him for the game he had, but that all it is, nobody’s worried about him.” – Austin Reaves on D’Angelo Russell

The Los Angeles Lakers’ 101-120 loss to the Orlando Magic can be attributed to several factors. The team struggled with offensive rebounds and committed numerous turnovers that allowed the Magic to score easy points.

Among these issues, D’Angelo Russell’s poor shooting performance was a significant contributor to the Lakers’ defeat. Despite scoring only 11 points, he made just 4-of-17 field goals, including a disappointing 1-of-10 from beyond the three-point line.

It’s clear that if Russell had a better shooting night, the Lakers might have had a stronger chance against the Magic. As Austin Reaves pointed out, Russell’s confidence is not lacking, and it’s expected that the veteran guard will regain his form in the near future.