Lakers' D'Angelo Russell hopes to defuse tension with Nick Young by giving him space

The competitive juices usually spill out in a Lakers practice during a closely contested scrimmage.

The Lakers’ practice on Friday became what Lakers coach Byron Scott called a “nice spirited” session for different reasons. Tension has brewed this week between D’Angelo Russell and Nick Young over a secretly recorded and accidentally published video that made private tales of infidelities suddenly public. Those hostile feelings spilled out on the court.

“They were on opposite teams, so everybody was going after each other,” Scott said. “We want that in practice.”

The Lakers said Russell and Young have not fought, at least not yet. Should Young address Russell with a fist or a shove, however, the Lakers’ rookie point guard contended he would “get physical back.”

“I wouldn’t necessarily say things got to that point,” Russell said. “But if it does, you’ve got to deal with the consequences.”

Russell has dealt with plenty of consequences after secretly recording a video that showed Young admitting he saw another woman besides his fiancee, Iggy Azalea. Russell apologized to teammates before Wednesday’s win over Miami at Staples Center. Young did not attend the speech.

“If the person that it hurt the most gets over it, then I feel it’s done,” Russell said. “Until he really lets it simmer down, then I think it will still be an issue.”

How much time is needed? The Lakers (16-59) enter Sunday’s game against the Boston Celtics (43-32) at Staples Center with only seven games left. While the Lakers are intrigued with the 20-year-old Russell’s long-term potential, the 30-year-old Young has not played in the last 11 games because of overlapping healthy scratches and an apparent stomach bug.

But what if the Lakers caot trade Young this offseason?

“Will they ever be buddy-buddy again? I don’t know,” Scott said. “They do have to coexist as long as they’re both here. I think they can.”

Scott stressed he will not mediate, saying “both guys are grown men.” Their teammates have operated the same way.

“It’s none of my business,” Lakers forward Julius Randle said. “That’s a situation between those two. I’m not going to treat anybody differently.”

Randle called the situation “a little awkward,” while Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson described the incident as “an elephant in the room.”

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“He’ll gain his trust back from the guys,” Clarkson said. “I’m definitely trying to support both of them.”

Scott said that Russell’s “demeanor hasn’t changed” before praising him for apologizing to his teammates amid a public backdrop. Meanwhile, Scott revealed that Young has become “a whole lot quieter” before adding he feels “terrible for him it has affected him personally.”

Young declined to speak with reporters on Friday.

“It’s kind of at this point where you need your space, and you can’t force peace if it’s not there,” Russell said. “You’ve got to let the time heal it.”