In the first game of his NBA career, second-overall pick D’Angelo Russell found himself in an unfamiliar role. Despite starting at point guard, the 19-year-old played off the ball for the majority of the game, while Jordan Clarkson took over as the primary ballhandler.

Head coach Byron Scott wanted to push the pace with the speedy Clarkson, but now he plans to hand the ball back into Russell’s hands.

“I really just wanted to up the tempo with Jordan pushing,” Scott said at Thursday’s practice. “Jordan’s a little bit more experienced. … (In) the second half D’Angelo was more of the primary ballhandler, and we’ll see how that works tomorrow (at Sacramento).”

Russell — who finished with four points and two assists in L.A.’s season opener — ranked third in the Big Ten in assists at Ohio State last year (5.0), and his gifts lie with the ball in his possession, which was a rarity on Wednesday.

Five players had more than Russell’s 36 touches, including reserve power forward Ryan Kelly (39), who played five fewer minutes than the rookie.

“We flipped that today,” Kobe Bryant said. “That’s what (Russell) does best is organize the offense. JC is a great attack player. So on the back side, I think it’s probably more useful. (Russell) loves organizing the game. He’s a great playmaker, facilitator. That’s where he’s best suited.”

Bryant and Scott orchestrated the decision to give Russell the ball back, according to Clarkson. For his part, the 2015 First Team All-Rookie selection welcomes returning to his natural two-guard position after a year of running the point.

“I feel like it makes us more comfortable in terms of using our weapons,” Clarkson said.

Though Scott ls comfortable with Clarkson — as well as Bryant and Julius Randle — bringing the ball up in transition, he likes the maturity of Russell’s passing game.

“He’s probably a little bit better of a decision-maker, even at 19 years old and being in his rookie year,” Scott said. “So we want him on the ball right now, and then we go to either side and we’ve got Kobe or Jordan.”

Meanwhile, Russell himself welcomes a return to the on-ball responsibilities he grew accustomed to in training camp.

He says that having the ball allows him to “control the game” and recognize mismatches against the defense.

“Playing off the ball is not foreign to me,” Russell said. “I can do that. But in practice I’ve gained chemistry with guys (by) playing on the ball.”

And while Russell might be fine without the ball, his five-time champion teammate stamped his approval on the teenager’s capabilities in directing the offense.

“That’s what we brought (Russell) is here to do,” Bryant said. “He’s phenomenal at it.”