Media

Jeanie Buss broke her streak of not going to Lakers games to give Montrezl Harrell a hug

Published by
Peter Dewey

Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss broke a streak of missing Lakers games to give forward Montrezl Harrell a hug.

Harrell, who had posted several cryptic things on social media, was struggling as he continues to deal with the passing of his grandmother eight months ago.

Buss decided that she wanted to be there for the Lakers’ new big man.

“For the first time in her adult life, Jeanie Buss had not attended a single Lakers game all season,” The Athletic’s Bill Oram wrote. “Not one.

“Even the night of the ring ceremony, when she announced from center court that the Lakers would not hang their championship banner until fans could return to Staples Center, she was in her car heading home before tip-off.

“But 38 games into the season, with the Indiana Pacers in town to face the Lakers, Buss showed up at Staples Center.

“She was there for one reason: To give Montrezl Harrell a hug.”

Buss had reportedly asked Rob Pelinka if Harrell was doing OK after he sent this tweet on March 9:

“I think all of us saw Trezz posted on social media,” Pelinka said. “And I think we were all concerned when we read that. Jeanie reached out to me and said, ‘Hey is Trezz OK?’”

According to Oram, Harrell “was still reeling” from his grandmother’s death last summer.

“It’s going to be a tough year for me,” Harrell told The Athletic, “ups and downs in general, because I’m still learning how to process losing somebody that meant a lot to me.”

Buss’ actions show just how much she truly cares about her players.

As Harrell tries to play through this season, the Lakers clearly are supporting him as much as they can.

This season, Harrell is averaging 14.7 points and 6.6 rebounds per game in 43 appearances.

Peter Dewey

Peter is a graduate of Quinnipiac University where he covered the MAAC and college basketball for three years. He has worked for NBC Sports, the Connecticut Sun and the Meriden Record-Journal covering basketball and other major sports. Follow him on Twitter @peterdewey2.

Published by
Peter Dewey

Recent Posts

Brian Windhorst says something changed for Luka Doncic and Lakers on Wednesday: ‘He felt it’

Wednesday night's contest between the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks was emotional for guard…

April 10, 2025

Austin Reaves on how he sometimes looks at white players: ‘They’re not very good’

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves is amid a career year in the NBA and…

April 8, 2025

Austin Reaves shares Anthony Davis’ immediate reaction to trade in Lakers group chat

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves and forward LeBron James were on the heels of…

April 8, 2025

Anthony Davis makes succinct statement about facing Lakers: ‘No emotions’

Dallas Mavericks star big man Anthony Davis is slated to face off against his former…

April 6, 2025

Skip Bayless implies LeBron James stat padded vs. Pelicans: ‘Highly unimpressive points’

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James put together yet another big scoring performance in his…

April 5, 2025

T-Mac says LeBron would get ‘crushed’ in 1-on-1 vs. NBA players: ‘And I’m sure LeBron would tell you that’

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has been a phenomenal scorer throughout his lengthy stint…

April 3, 2025