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Los Angeles Lakers starting point guard D'Angelo Russell missed two games with a sore right hip, a 116-111 win against the Oklahoma City Thunder Friday and a 118-108 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Sunday.

In his return to the hardwood for Los Angeles yesterday, he hardly looked any worse for wear. Russell scored 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field (2-of-4 from deep), just 1-of-3 shooting from the free throw line, and four assists. He also registered a team-high +35 plus-minus. 

Postgame, Russell offered some clarity to gathered reporters about the state of his hip, offering credit to the Lakers' medical staff for his quick recovery. The ailment certainly didn't seem to affect his jumper.

"I just strained it," Russell explained. "When you strain it, it's a little inflamed, it's going to hurt right then and there. I had a few days to kind of get right, and I feel great. Like I said the people back there, they took really good care of me, so [I'm] trying to give them a lot of credit for that one."

The Lakers next face off against the team that just traded Russell, the Minnesota Timberwolves, on Friday. It sure sounds like Russell will be ready to roll.

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