Lakers News: D’Angelo Russell talks about strange road play against Clippers
The Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers have been rivals for several years, and there were some memorable battles at Crypto.com Arena. D’Angelo Russell is experiencing this rodeo for the second time since returning to the purple and gold.
We are used to being the home team when we enter the Crypto.com Arena, so when these two teams meet, there will be an unusual element for the away team.
That will change after this season, however, as the Clippers prepare to move into a new arena, the Intuit Dome, for the 2024-25 season. If that happens, Wednesday could be the last time the two sides meet at Crypto.com Arena, with the Lakers being the “road” team.
Russell talked about how strange it was being the away team playing against his familiar home side. “Yeah, weird, that’s the word,” Russell said. “Let me be clear, yeah, it’s weird to show up and do something like that. You did it your first year, and then you came back and you’re still doing it, and that’s what it is.
We adapt because we know that is the norm and we adapt to it. Change is clearly coming, and I think that’s a good thing for the Lakers and Clippers players. And that’s good for the fans too. So I’m a fan of that. ”
The 28-year-old added that the strangest part of the trip was having to sit on the modified bench for the Clippers’ home games. “The strangest thing is when you come home, the house has been repaired,” he said. “It just seems different. I think the exit of the tunnel is probably the strangest thing. I have to go around all the time. Something like that. ”
Entering this season, the Clippers had won 11 straight against the Lakers, but the Purple and Gold were able to buck that trend by winning two of three games this year.
Los Angeles is looking to advance from the play-in tournament, so a win against a team ranked in the top six in the conference would be incredible.
As the Clippers begin a new chapter for the franchise next season, it might carry a little extra weight since this is the finale.
The Lakers are in the same spot as last year and hope to finish within the top six in the Western Conference. D’Angelo Russell said the team will take the same approach as last season to prepare for this important end of the regular season.
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