Brooklyn Nets: D’Angelo Russell preparing for return to the lineup

The Brooklyn Nets are desperately awaiting the return of leading scorer D’Angelo Russell as he begins the process to return to game action.

D’Angelo Russell has been a spectator for the past 31 games due to arthroscopic surgery to remove a loose body in his left knee. This was all the way back in November after hurting the knee during a road game against the Utah Jazz. The Brooklyn Nets have relied on new breakout star Spencer Dinwiddie and Caris LeVert to carry the load at point guard.

The injury hasn’t kept Russell away from the team as he can be seen at home or away games supporting his teammates. His presence in street clothes on the bench gives further indication of the third-year player’s commitment to the team and fresh outlook on the franchise’s future. The growing maturity of Russell in Brooklyn is already a difference from the rumors of locker room turmoil while with the Los Angeles Lakers.

General manager Sean Marks, who pulled off the blockbuster deal to acquire Russell this past summer, shared his thoughts on WFAN radio in New York about his rehab and relationship with teammates:

"“D’Angelo is progressing really well. He’s worked hard and he’s been diligent with his rehab. I would like to think it’s sooner rather than later. I’d never want to say it’s tomorrow or it’s three days or it’s five days or whatever it may be, but at the same time he’s anxious about getting out there and I know his teammates want to get him out there as well. So if things go well, I think we’ll see him in the short-term future here.”"

Russell has begun practicing with the Nets’ G League affiliate in Long Island with hopes of getting back up to game speed. In Russell’s absence, Dinwiddie has attempted to keep the Nets competitive, averaging 15.6 points and 7.2 assists per game in his 28 starts.

Dinwiddie’s surprisingly clutch offense lately hasn’t been enough as the team continues to struggle, dropping five of its last six games. The most recent loss came on Martin Luther King Jr. Day at home against their crosstown rival New York Knicks, 119-104. Russell made his presence felt in the most unorthodox way by receiving a technical foul for clapping obnoxiously, essentially annoying the referee.

Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson shared with reporters in a recent interview his excitement at the possibility of playing Russell and Dinwiddie alongside each other.

"“I’m comfortable with that, We’ll make the decision when it presents itself, but I’m comfortable with it. It’s not like, no way, we’re never doing that. Spencer is playing so well that we need him on the court. Obviously what’s good about D’Angelo is that he proved with Jeremy [Lin] that he has absolutely no problem playing on the ball and off the ball. I actually think he enjoys playing off the ball also. He likes both.”“The great thing about Spencer is that he’s 6-6, Sometimes when you have two small point guards, [you wonder]: Who do you put on the two-guard? Spencer can play any 6-6 guy in the league. There’s no two-guard where you’re [afraid to use him]. … He was on [DeMar] DeRozan for a while. It’s not a concern.”"

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The Nets are last in the Atlantic Division with a woeful 16-28 record, with little time to waste heading into the All-Star break. Russell’s eventual return will need to have an immediate impact on the team, or Brooklyn will have to prepare to watch another valuable first round pick head to another team.