Los Angeles Clippers point guard Russell Westbrook fractured his left hand in the first half of Friday’s game against Wizards of Washington, announced the team. The injury is expected to cost Westbrook most, if not all, of the month of March.
Westbrook, 35, was the last player to appear in every game this season for the Clippers. As a key member of the second unit, Westbrook is relied upon for rim pressure, pace, playmaking and on-ball defense. Over the past two months, Los Angeles has used Westbrook as a small-ball center, taking advantage of the 16-year veteran’s ability to rebound while serving as a secondary playmaker.
“(I) feel bad for Russ right now,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. “You never want to see a player get injured. Poole came around and tried to swerve out the back. I think he hit his elbow with his hand. We don’t know the timeline, we don’t know yet if he needs surgery or anything, but he’s out right now. So I’m just trying to understand.
“He will remain committed despite everything. It’s just who he is. And so we need him, we need his energy, we need him to talk the way he leads and so until he can come back, we’re going to miss him. I hope the recovery is quick and we get him back as soon as possible, but I’m not sure of the timeline at the moment.
Westbrook is averaging 11.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 22.8 minutes this season.
The Clippers used a third-string point guard Os Hyland for the first time since January 31 after Westbrook’s injury. Hyland, who was deactivated along with veteran forward PJ Tucker during the pre-All-Star finale at Golden State on Feb. 14, is expected to be the backup point guard in place of Westbrook.
Hyland said he was happy to have the opportunity to play again after spending the better part of four months out of the rotation. It’s a return to play similar to last year, when Hyland missed the better part of two months between his final days in Denver and his trade to the Clippers just before Westbrook was added to the roster during the hiatus 2023 NBA All-Stars.
“I just provide what I provide, I do what I always do,” Hyland said Friday night when asked what he thinks he needs to do to contribute. “Nothing’s changed, I’m just back in the rotation now.” It feels good to be back man, it feels really good. It’s almost like last year, missing a few games and coming back right before the playoffs. So it’s really the same thing. This time I stayed outside a little longer.
One of the things Hyland could make an improvement on is his shooting ability. Hyland’s first four games of the season saw him make 46.4 percent of his 3s while averaging 24.4 minutes. But Hyland has struggled mightily since then, and Friday night continued a streak where he missed 15 straight 3s, having last made one in Oklahoma City on Dec. 21. Still, Hyland believes he can provide an offensive boost for the Clippers.
“I’m picking up the pace,” Hyland said when asked what he’s looking forward to doing for the Clippers this month. “Accelerate the pace, the shooting ability, go down the slopes, attack. Find teammates. Just all of the above, honestly.
Paul George on Russell Westbrook, Bones Hyland and Paul George. pic.twitter.com/0e82PYWRtd
– Law Murray ???? (@LawMurrayTheNU) March 2, 2024
Starting point guard James Harden was only aware of Westbrook’s hand injury after Friday night’s win over the Wizards. He said the Clippers will miss “everything he brings to the game: his athleticism, his energy, his playmaking ability, his leadership.”
Harden also added that the third-year wing Brandon Boston Jr. must be ready to play with Hyland.
“I told (Hyland) and Brandon that they’re in a tough position because they’re behind four Hall of Famers,” Harden said Friday night. “They just have to continue to work tirelessly every day, and opportunities will become available. That’s exactly how this league goes. They are at the gym. If Russ is out for a minute, one of them will get a chance to play. So they will be prepared.
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(Photo: Jayne Kamin / USA Today)
