Skip Bayless has a new nickname for Russell Westbrook after the Los Angeles Lakers star’s heroics off the bench against the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Los Angeles Lakers won their second successive game of the season as they recorded a 120-117 overtime win over the New Orleans Pelicans. It was a display of mettle and resilience as the Lakers – fresh off breaking their five-game losing streak in the last game – rallied to tie the scores at the end of regulation time, following which they won the contest in overtime.
The Lakers met the New Orleans Pelicans at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, looking to keep their winning touch intact. However, the Pelicans led by Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum took the game over and were looking like they would run away with the win – until the Lakers brought on their newest off-the-bench game-changer in Russell Westbrook.
Westbrook – who starred in the Lakers’ first victory of the season coming off the bench – adopted a similar role against the Pelicans as well as he came on to change the game in the Lakers’ favour. It would not be an exaggeration to say that he did exactly that, as Russ racked up 13 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists and made 6/10 of his field goals in only 25 minutes on the floor.
Russ’ heroics kept the game within reach for the Lakers, and on taking the game to overtime courtesy of Matt Ryan’s buzzer-beater – the Lakers came out on top in overtime. With another game-changing performance, Russ has won a lot of praise – the most notable of which came from Skip Bayless.
The NBA analyst rechristened Russ and credited him for “saving” LeBron James.
Tweeting on his official Twitter account following the game, Bayless wrote: “Russell Westbrick had been reborn as Russell Westbench, fire-starting off the bench. 11&7 as 6th Man of Yr candidate in the 1st half as Lakers pull away by 12. Russ keeps saving LeBron! (Lakers announcers suggesting he’s playing sick tonight – it’s always something with “King.”)
Russ would certainly not mind his newest nickname as he looks like he is very used to his new role – and it also seems like it is the best way he can contribute to the Lakers right now.
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