Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Ejected in fourth quarter
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Westbrook was ejected from Saturday's 101-90 Game 3 loss to the Mavericks with 6:10 to play in the fourth quarter. He finished with one point (0-7 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT), three rebounds, one assist, one steal and two blocks in 19 minutes.
Westbrook let his frustrations get the best of him in this one. He was already carrying a technical foul when he proceeded to shove both Luka Doncic and P.J. Washington on the same play. Despite his outburst, a suspension is unlikely.
Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Out for regular-season finale
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Westbrook will not play in Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Rockets for rest purposes, Justin Russo of the 'Clip & Roll' podcast reports.
No surprise here, as the Clippers are resting most of their starters ahead of the playoffs next weekend. Westbrook will finish regular-season action with averages of 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.6 triples across 22.5 minutes per game.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Good to go Friday
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Westbrook (hand) will be available for Friday's game against the Jazz.
Westbrook sat out Wednesday's game against the Suns, but it was likely a precaution after he played 40 minutes the night before. Kawhi Leonard (knee) is the only regular rotation player on the injury report for Friday, and he'll remain sidelined.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Won't go Wednesday
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Westbrook (hand) won't play in Wednesday's game against the Suns, Justin Russo of the 'Clip & Roll' podcast reports.
Westbrook played 40 minutes during Tuesday's win and picked up a left-hand contusion during the contest. With each of James Harden (foot), Paul George (knee) and Kawhi Leonard (knee) joining him on the sidelines Wednesday, expect heavy doses of Bones Hyland, Norman Powell and Brandon Boston in the backcourt. Westbrook's next chance to play will come Friday against Utah.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Dealing with hand injury
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Westbrook is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Suns due to a left hand contusion, Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com reports.
With Kawhi Leonard (knee) and James Harden (foot) out, Westbrook moved into the starting lineup Tuesday and posted his first triple-double since Jan. 15, 2023 during a win over the Suns. Leonard, Harden and Paul George (knee) are all out Wednesday, while Ivica Zubac (ankle) joins Westbrook as questionable, so the Clippers are going to be extremely shorthanded for Wednesday's rematch versus Phoenix.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Shines in starting lineup
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Westbrook ended Tuesday's 105-92 win over the Suns with 16 points (7-17 FG, 2-4 3Pt), 15 rebounds, 15 assists and two steals over 40 minutes.
Although the Clippers were without Kawhi Leonard (knee) and James Harden (foot), the team didn't skip a beat as Westbrook turned back the clock with a sublime triple-double. The last time Westbrook reached that milestone was Jan. 15, 2023. Westbrook's superb number is a great example of the Clippers' depth when the chips are down, and the wealth of veteran experience will certainly help come playoff time.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Set to start Tuesday
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Westbrook is in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game versus the Suns, Joey Linn of SI.com reports.
Westbrook will replace James Harden (foot) in the starting five Tuesday. Westbrook has averaged 14.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.9 steals in 30.7 minutes across his previous 10 starts this season.
Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Posts 14 points in return
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Westbrook (hand) recorded 14 points (5-10 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 4-6 FT), seven assists and four rebounds across 18 minutes in Monday's 133-116 loss to the Pacers.
Westbrook missed the Clippers' previous 12 games due to a fractured left hand but was sharp in his return Monday, scoring at nearly a point-per-minute pace. The veteran point guard also tied for the team lead with seven dimes, despite playing under 20 minutes. Westbrook will continue to come off the bench as a second-unit spark plug now that he's health again, but he's uncertain to see a dramatic uptick in playing time when all of James Harden, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are available. For the season, Westbrook is averaging a career-low 22.6 minutes per contest.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Officially active Monday
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Westbrook (hand) has been cleared for Monday's game against Indiana, Mark Medina of NBA.com reports. He will not face a minutes restriction.
Westbrook will take the court for the first time since March 1 after suffering a fractured hand. Coach Tyronn Lue expressed his excitement to have Westbrook's energy and "pop" back in the lineup, and Westbrook has been diligently maintaining his conditioning while sidelined, Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com reports.
Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Officially questionable
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Westbrook (hand) is questionable for Monday's game against the Pacers, Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com reports.
Westbrook is expected to make his return from a 12-game absence but likely won't be cleared until he goes through his pregame routine. If cleared, the dynamic point guard figures to play around 20 minutes off the bench. Since being moved to a reserve role in mid-November, Westbrook has averaged 10.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.0 steals in 20.9 minutes per game.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Poised to return Monday
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Westbrook (hand) is expected to return to action Monday against the Pacers, Joey Linn of SI.com reports.
The Clippers have yet to officially clear Westbrook for the second leg of a back-to-back set following Sunday's 121-107 loss to the 76ers, but all signs point to the veteran point guard being ready to go after he missed the past three weeks while recovering from surgery on his fractured left hand. Over his five post-All-Star break appearances before suffering the injury, Westbrook averaged 7.4 points, 2.2 assists, 1.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 16.8 minutes per contest, a level of playing time and production that probably renders him more of a 14-team league commodity. He should reclaim backup point guard duties Monday after the Clippers relied primarily on Bones Hyland to handle that role during Westbrook's absence.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Nearing return
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Westbrook (hand) is expected to return to game action next week, perhaps as soon as Monday's matchup versus the Pacers, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Westbrook had surgery to repair his fractured left hand three weeks ago and is already nearing a return, though he probably still has a few hurdles to clear in his recovery. Even if Westbrook suits up next week, he'll likely be limited off the bench, so his fantasy value remains stunted. On the season, Westbrook is averaging 11.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.6 three-pointers in 22.6 minutes while shooting 45.2 percent from the field and 67.7 percent from the free-throw line.
