According to coach Ty Lue, LA Clippers point guard Russell Westbrook is set to make his return to the lineup at some point this week.
Sources close to the situation have indicated to Adrian Wojnarowski that Westbrook could potentially make his comeback as soon as Monday’s game against the Indiana Pacers.
If Westbrook does indeed take the court on Monday, it will mark three weeks since he underwent surgery to repair a fractured left hand, an injury sustained during a game against the Washington Wizards on March 1.
The Clippers have keenly felt the absence of Westbrook’s aggressive energy and hustle, given his reputation as one of the league’s top sixth men. Without their one-time MVP point guard, the team has posted a record of 6-6.
Russell Westbrook (Via NBC/Twitter)
Throughout the season, Westbrook has maintained solid averages of 11.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists across 58 games.
While he began the season as a starter for the first 10 games, Westbrook transitioned to a bench role following the James Harden trade, a move aimed at enhancing team chemistry.
The impact of Westbrook’s bench role was evident, with the Clippers boasting an impressive 28-8 record from his first game off the bench against the Houston Rockets on Nov. 17 until his hand injury sidelined him.
Westbrook’s return comes at a critical juncture for the Clippers, who have struggled recently, losing five of their last eight games and failing to secure a victory against a team with a winning record in three weeks.
Russell Westbrook (Via NBC/Twitter)
During last Wednesday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Harden drew attention for humorously closing out on a Kawhi Leonard 3-point attempt, reflecting an effort to uplift the team’s spirits amidst a challenging period.
As Westbrook prepares to rejoin the lineup, the Clippers anticipate a boost in both offensive and defensive capabilities.
Westbrook’s defensive prowess, in particular, is valued, with his ability to hold opponents to 39.7% shooting as the contesting defender ranking third among players who have contested 300 or more shots this season, according to Second Spectrum.
