D'Angelo Russell

In his first statement after bringing D’Angelo Russell back to a place that once chronicled his All-Star season, the Brooklyn Nets’ GM made mention of his desire to welcome his smooth-scoring guard back with “open arms.” Committed to a goal of contributing on both ends and engineering Brooklyn’s second-half comeback bid, Russell ensured that the same phrase could apply to his defensive stance and intensity. Behind by seven, and in need of stops, the 10-year veteran takes the onus, mirroring Jamal Shead’s steps before stripping the rookie’s possession clean. Eyeballing a down-the-floor teammate before he even takes a step, Russell delivers a room service dime, completing a deficit-trimming defense-to-offense sequence. Facing a team hungry to end its skid, Brooklyn wouldn’t prevail against the Toronto Raptors on January 1, 2025. Even so, Russell added to his lengthy list of productive showings against Toronto, percolating for 22 points (on 9-of-13 shooting), eight assists, one steal, two blocks, and two treys.