LOS ANGELES — This time the Nets showed some heart. But they had it broken.
D’Angelo Russell’s Hollywood return story just missed a happy ending.
His potential winning jumper in the closing seconds from 3-point range was wide, and the Nets were left aggrieved over what they say was a blown call on Noah Clowney’s rebound attempt.
D’Angelo Russell, who missed his attempt at a game-winning jumper, looks to make a move as Max Christie (12) and Trey Jemison (55) during the Nets’ 102-101 loss to the Lakers on Jan. 17, 2025. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Oh, and they were left beaten 102-101 by the Lakers before a crowd of 18,473 at Crypto.com Arena.
Trailing 102-95 with 2:22 left, the Nets scored six straight points and nearly made it nine unanswered to win.
After they finally forced a miss from Austin Reaves — who led the Lakers with a career-high 38 points — the Nets rebounded with 18 seconds left and Jordi Fernandez eschewed a timeout.
He let Russell have the last look, and it seemed destined for a storybook ending. But Russell missed with 4.6 seconds to play.
“I mean, when you look back on it in hindsight, there’s probably multiple things I probably could have done,” Russell said. “For [Fernandez] to have the confidence in me to make and take that shot, respect. I feel like I owe him one. Got to make one now.”
“I loved it, man. We were all on the bench talking like ‘Yo, it’s written. This is part of the story. It was meant to be,” said Ziaire Williams, who had 15 points. “It looked great, man. Great shot, rhythm, sized it up, got to his stop. I love it. I’ll live or die with that shot all day. He’s been making that shot his whole career. So like I said, man, it was a great, great fight. They were just one point better than us.”
LeBron James goes up for a shot as Ben Simmons (left) and Day’Ron Sharpe defend during the Nets’ loss to the Lakers. AP
Russell finished with 19 points, eight assists and six rebounds off the bench in his first game against the Lakers since being traded to the Nets on Dec. 29.
“I was anxious. No feelings, no nothing. I think as a competitor I’ve been traded a few times. Once I’m traded, I take it personal, and I just keep moving forward,” said Russell, who just missed a chance at some payback.
“Man, it looked good. Not good for us. But the ball looked good in the air. It wouldn’t have been in that position if I didn’t miss about four shots in a row. But yeah I’ve seen him make that shot a million times,” Reaves said. “I’ve seen him make that shot. And fortunately It didn’t go in. So thank you. But yeah, he played a hell of a game.”
Austin Reaves shoots a jumper over Nets’ defenders during the Lakers’ win. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
A hell of a game leading a threadbare Nets team without Cam Thomas or Cam Johnson.
Russell scored nine in the fourth quarter — but Reaves had 15.
LeBron James had 29 points, eight assists and seven boards, the last one leaving the Nets vexed.
Clowney crashed going for the offensive rebound, but James got it.
Noah Clowney shoots a jumper during the Nets’ loss to the Lakers. NBAE via Getty Images
The Nets felt their young big got fouled on the play.
“I think it was. But I don’t expect them to call that at that time in the game, late in the game,” Clowney said. “Yeah, that’s really it.”
“I’m going to let this guys with experience take the shot. And that was a shot that I’ve seen [Russell] make a lot of times,” Fernandez said. “And like I told him in the locker room, I’m going to let them go.
“And not just his shot, but I also love the fact that Noah crashed right there. And he got fouled in my opinion. But now we’re going to wait for the [Last] two minute report, which is what the league does, and that we’re going to see the reality of it.”
The Nets (14-28) have dropped seven of eight, and 10 of their last 12.
None had been more embarrassing than Wednesday’s 126-67 loss at the Clippers.
They trailed by 64 at one point, and their final margin was the worst in franchise history and among the Bottom 10 all-time in the NBA.
The Nets put that in their rearview and responded against the Lakers, but they just weren’t good enough.
