D’Angelo Russell Shines in Nets Return, Rookie Maxwell Lewis Suffers Knee Injury

Russell scores 22 points in his Brooklyn debut, while teammate Lewis exits after a serious knee injury in a loss to the Raptors.

D’Angelo Russell made a strong debut for the Brooklyn Nets, scoring 22 points, with eight assists and two blocks in 26 minutes off the bench during a 130-113 loss to the Toronto Raptors.
Maxwell Lewis, also acquired in the trade from the Lakers, suffered a significant left knee injury after a collision late in the game and had to be carried off the court.
The trade brought Russell and Lewis to Brooklyn in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith, Shake Milton, and three future second-round picks, signaling a shift in the Nets' roster dynamics.
Russell expressed gratitude for returning to Brooklyn, where he previously played from 2017-2019 and earned his only All-Star selection, and highlighted his goal of adapting quickly to the team’s system.
The Nets, currently 12-21 and focused on rebuilding, face questions about balancing Russell’s playmaking abilities with their long-term strategy, which includes stockpiling assets for the future.