Russell Sets Single-Season 3’s Record

On Friday night in Los Angeles, D’Angelo Russell set the Lakers franchise record for most 3-pointers made within a single season, drilling his 184^th from range with 6:15 left in the first quarter against Philadelphia to surpass Nick Van Exel’s previous mark of 183, set in 1995.

Russell went on to hit three more triples to get to 187 total, and has 12 more regular season games to continue to push his record further.

“It just feels good to be a part of one of these type of deals,” said Russell. “This franchise is one of the most prestigious, so to have my name just to be a part of it, I’m more than grateful, blessed beyond measures, just want to keep continuing to shatter it if I can to make it hard for the next person.”

Heading into Friday’s contest, a 101-94 win with significance as LAL tries to make a push towards the postseason, Russell was averaging 2.9 triples made per game in 6.8 attempts, for an impressive conversion rate of 42.4%. Since the All-Star break, only Phoenix’s Grayson Allen (49.6%) was making a higher percentage amongst those attempting at least 200 from three (47 players).

Russell currently ranks 14^th in the NBA in made 3’s this season, and of those shooters ahead of him, only Malik Beasley is shooting a better percentage (43.0%).

That’s also Russell’s highest career percentage from deep, though he did make more total 3’s in 2018-19, his All-Star season in Brooklyn, when he set the franchise record with 234 makes. 

Should Russell continue his current pace of around three makes per game, he’d likely fall short of that 234, but he’s had games of nine, six, five and four makes within the last month, and an extended burst to finish the season certainly can’t be counted out.

Here’s the new Lakers Top 10 in 3-pointers made: