LA Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, known as one of the NBA’s top sixth men, recently underwent surgery on his fractured left hand. The injury occurred during a game against the Washington Wizards, where Westbrook fractured his non-shooting hand. This setback has forced him to start rehabilitation in order to return to the Clippers, who are currently one of the top contenders for the championship this season.
Sources have indicated that there is hope for Westbrook to make a comeback before the start of the Western Conference playoffs in April. This timeline would give Westbrook less than four weeks to recover, a feat he has achieved before with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2014 when he fractured his right hand. In that instance, Westbrook missed only 14 games before making a successful return to the court.
With Westbrook sidelined, the Clippers will have to find a way to replace his energy and aggression on the court. His absence has already led to reserve guard Bones Hyland seeing increased playing time. This shift in the roster dynamics can have a significant impact on the team’s performance, especially as they prepare for the postseason with a challenging schedule ahead.
Westbrook’s role on the team has evolved throughout the season, starting as the main point guard before transitioning to a sixth man position after the acquisition of James Harden. This move was made to improve the team’s overall chemistry and gameplay, leading to a successful streak for the Clippers. Westbrook’s contributions, averaging 11.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game, have been instrumental in the team’s success this season.
As the Clippers continue their season with a record of 39-20 and a fourth-place standing in the conference, the focus now shifts to how they will navigate Westbrook’s absence and adjust their gameplay accordingly. With the postseason fast approaching, the team will need to rally together and find ways to compensate for the loss of one of their key players. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the Clippers’ trajectory as they aim for a strong finish to the season.