For the past two games, D'Angelo Russell has left Crypto.com Arena without speaking to the media. Sunday against the Clippers, it was after playing pretty well over 31 minutes, and then on Tuesday after another solid showing, but this time in only 17.

So what gives?

Is Russell expressing displeasure at a role that has fluctuated pretty significantly since he was removed from the starting lineup? Is he trying to avoid conversations about the trade deadline, where his name is, and will remain, a perpetual part of things? Is it a matter of not being able to say something nice, so he would rather avoid saying anything at all? Especially something that would end up creating real controversy or headlines? (Or more importantly, headaches for teammates who would then have to answer questions about him ... something skipping postgame media doesn't do.)

And in the end, if it doesn't make his teammates' life harder or impact his performance when he does play, does any of this really matter?

But it's worth asking whether the Lakers would be better off finding more minutes for Russell. Flawed as he is, Russell is one of the team's five best players (easily).

Finally, Thursday's game against the Suns is another example of a game the Lakers need to win against a team that is vulnerable, but probably better than the record suggests, at least when the big three of Durant, Booker and Beal can play. And Saturday's game against Utah? The one that looked like a cupcake matchup a couple weeks back?

Not anymore.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: D'Angelo Russell isn't speaking to the media.

SEGMENT 2: Does it really matter?

SEGMENT 3: The Lakers need to keep winning to get themselves into the top 6, because the conference is starting to spread out.

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