D'Angelo Russell Injury: Updates on Lakers Guard's Glute and Return

Los Angeles Lakers point guard D'Angelo Russell suffered a bruised glute during the team's Oct. 6 exhibition game after falling hard while trying to contest a shot at the rim and suffering a bruised glute. 

Russell did not play in the team's Oct. 8 preseason game and has yet to return to practice.

Continue for updates.

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Latest on Russell's Playing Status

Sunday, Oct. 11

The Lakers ruled Russell out for the team's game against Maccabi Haifa.

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Latest On Russell's Practice Status

Wednesday, Oct. 7

The rookie did not practice, but the Lakers say he is making progress, per Serena Winters of Lakers Nation.

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Russell Comments on Injury After Being Pulled from Preseason Game 

Wednesday, Oct. 7

“I just couldn’t really move,” Russell said, per Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News, who provided more from the 19-year-old:

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After it kind of loosened it up a little bit, I was able to move a little bit. I feel fine. I wanted to get back out there. But Gary Vitti and the rest of the staff said they didn’t think it would be a smart idea. I’ll just ice and take care of it the best way possible and try to get out there.

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The Lakers originally said he was available to return to the game on Oct. 6, per Lakers.com's Mike Trudell, but the team played it safe and decided to rule out the prized youngster for the duration. 

Citing information provided by Lakers PR, Baxter Holmes of ESPN reported Russell would have remained in the game if it had been a regular-season contest.

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Russell Poised to Be Future Face of Lakers

In his first season out of Ohio State, Russell is seen as the most important building block to a new era of Lakers basketball. The combo guard has embraced every challenge since arriving in Los Angeles, going as far as to request a locker next to Kobe Bryant's.

"I wouldn't say [it's] overwhelming," Russell told reporters when discussing the expectations he faces as the No. 2 pick of the 2015 NBA draft. "It's something that I prepared for. I dreamt it, and it's here, so I've got to take advantage of it."

He's part of a crowded wing rotation that also includes Bryant, Nick Young, Lou Williams and the recently re-signed Metta World Peace. Jordan Clarkson and Russell have also been splitting time as primary ball-handlers, though the rookie projects more as a 2-guard going forward.

After losing Julius Randle to a season-ending injury in the first game of the 2014-15 season, the Lakers have to be relieved that Russell's injury seems to be minor.