D’Angelo Russell bounces back with “complete game offensively” vs. Kings

LAS VEGAS — The tricks went on full display, and it did not just involve the magic shows that permeate the strip. A new exhibit opened up on Friday night at T-Mobile Arena, where Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell performed a series of highlight reels that left the audience gasping.

He sank 3-pointers with ease. He set up teammates at the blink of an eye. He attacked the basket with relentless speed.

The show itself may not have been pretty. The Lakers lost to the Sacramento Kings, 116-104, in an exhibition that featured yet another slow and a subpar defensive performance. Nearly anytime Russell had the ball, though, Lakers fans had reason to watch.

Russell posted a team-leading 31 points and 11 assists, while shooting 10-of-14 from the field and 5-of-6 from 3-point range. It marked a huge improvement from his performance against Portland on Tuesday when he logged only 12 points and one assist while shooting 6-of-21 mark from the field and missing all nine of his 3-point attempts.

“He did the best job so far of deciding when it’s a good shot for him and when a defender is on him,” Lakers coach Luke Walton said. “Offensively, he had a very complete game tonight.”

Russell wasted no time doing that. He scored the Lakers’ first five points. He connected on four of his first five 3-point attempts. He impressed Walton with a swing pass to forward Luol Deng for a 3-pointer that Walton described as “little plays like that we hadn’t seen a lot of” beforehand.

“I just wanted to do a little bit of everything,” Russell said. “I feel like at this level, guys are capable of doing whatever they put their mind to. In the game, if they want to get 15 and 10 assists. If they want to get 10 rebounds, anybody’s capable. I really tried to set my standards high when it came to that today.”

The standards will become higher.

After praising Russell’s offensive production, Walton quickly pivoted toward the other end of the floor.

“Defensively, there’s still some work to be done,” Walton said. “But from what I’ve known about D’Angelo so far, is he’ll take that challenge on just like he has with the offense. Then he’ll be fine.”

That’s because Russell has also faulted himself for needing to elevate his defense. He also partly blamed himself for the Lakers’ slow starts thus far in preseason play. But Walton praised Russell for constantly seeking feedback. He regularly watches film with Lakers assistant coach Jesse Mermuys. Lakers assistant coach Brian Shaw talks to Russell about manning the point guard spot after assuming that role in a 14-year NBA career that included a stop at the Lakers (1999-2003).

“D’Angelo and I have talks all the time on what I see,” Walton said. “I ask him what he sees. That’s the environment I want.”

It’s a kind of environment filled with positive reinforcement and constructive criticism.

“Shooters keep shooting. He definitely knows that,” Lakers forward Brandon Ingram said. “We tell him to keep shooting. The coach tells him to keep shooting. Tonight he showed it. He showed and went back and worked on what he did poorly last game.”

In that environment, Walton has outlined three things. He has encouraged Russell to take open shots. Walton has stressed to Russell not to feel discouraged when he misses any. Walton has instructed Russell to look more for open teammates.

“I’ll definitely play my game because I know I’m capable of making those shots,” Russell said. “My teammates know I’m capable of making those shots. If I was making those shots, it would be a different outcome. I wasn’t making them and we still almost won.”

Russell was making them on Friday and the Lakers still lost. Nonetheless, it marked a sign of growth that Walton envisioned will continue to happen.

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Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com