Former All-Star Russell Westbrook had missed the last three weeks following his surgery on a fractured left hand, but a positive update on his injury has been shared.
Los Angeles Clippers guard Russell Westbrook is expected to return to the lineup next week — perhaps as soon as Monday vs. the Indiana Pacers, sources tell ESPN. Westbrook — one of the league’s top sixth men — had surgery to repair a fractured left hand three weeks ago. pic.twitter.com/cL6JdNyVaO
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 22, 2024
As per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Los Angeles Clippers point guard Westbrook is expected to return to the team’s lineup possibly by Monday next week.
Wojnarowski reported Westbrook could come back as early as Monday when the Clippers face off against the Indiana Pacers after his surgery on March 1. Before the injury, he appeared in each of the first 58 games of the Clippers’ 2023-24 season.
In case Westbrook didn’t against the Pacers, presumably will make his return on the four-game road trip that will follow. Clippers will visit Philadelphia next Wednesday, then go to Orlando, Charlotte, and Sacramento.
The Clippers had the best record in the Western Conference, now in fourth place right behind the third-place Minnesota Timberwolves. The team seems to be on a downward trajectory after Westbrook’s injury, with a record of just 5-5 in the 10 games including two wins in their past six contests.
Before Westbrook’s injury, Los Angeles ranked No. 10 among all teams in bench, but the Clippers have dropped to No. 16 in bench.
He averaged 10.4 points in just 21.0 minutes per game after the rotation change, and also recorded 4.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game, shooting 44.8 percent from the field.
Westbrook was in the starting lineup at the start of the season, but eventually moved to the bench as head coach Tyronn Lue looked to stagger the minutes of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, James Harden, and Westbrook.
