Woj: Clippers’ Russell Westbrook Expected to Return from Hand Injury Next Week

zach bacharContributor IMarch 22, 2024

Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Los Angeles Clippers point guard Russell Westbrook is expected to return to the team’s lineup next week, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Wojnarowski noted that Westbrook could come back as early as Monday when the Clippers face off against the Indiana Pacers. The 35-year-old suffered a fractured hand that required surgery on March 1 and has not appeared in a game since.

Prior to the injury, Westbrook appeared in each of the first 58 games during the Clippers’ 2023-24 season.

Although Westbrook initially operated in the starting lineup to begin the season, he was eventually moved to the bench as head coach Tyronn Lue looked to stagger the minutes of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, James Harden and Westbrook.

The nine-time All-Star thrived as a reserve, averaging 10.4 points in just 21.0 minutes per game after the rotation change. He also recorded 4.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game, shooting 44.8 percent from the field.

NBA @NBARussell Westbrook is up to 25K career points!

He becomes the 25th player in NBA history to reach this total and only the 2nd player to total 25K PTS, 9K AST, and 8K REB, joining LeBron James 👏👏

Clippers-Pistons | Live on the NBA App
📲 https://t.co/eWUG2rxG2z pic.twitter.com/F40Ts8FTuV

The Clippers have stagnated without Westbrook, owning a record of just 5-5 in the 10 games since his last appearance. This includes two wins in their past six contests.

Prior to Westbrook’s injury, Los Angeles ranked No. 10 among all teams in bench scoring with 36.6 total points per game as well as a field-goal percentage of 47.7 percent among reserves (via NBA.com). Since he’s been unavailable, the Clippers have dropped to No. 16 in bench scoring by averaging 31.6 points per contest while shooting 42.9 percent from the field.

Sitting at 43-25, the team still appears poised to make the playoffs for the fifth time in the past six seasons. Allowing Westbrook to return and shake off any rust before the postseason begins would provide a major boost to the Clippers as they look to avenge last season’s first-round exit.