NBA: Los Angeles Clippers Guard Russell Westbrook Out With Fractured Left Hand

Russell Westbrook fractured his left hand during the first half of the Los Angeles Clippers’ game against the Washington Wizards on Friday night.

Westbrook, who had six points and an assist in 10 minutes coming off the bench, appeared to suffer an injury while trying to knock the ball away from Jordan Poole with 10:01 left in the second. Westbrook left with 8:10 left in the second quarter and did not return.

James Harden scored 21 of his 28 points in the second quarter while Kawhi Leonard added 27 points and Paul George scored 22 in his return after missing two games with a knee injury, en route to a victory for the Clippers against the Washington Wizards 140-115. .

Playing their first game since blowing a 19-point fourth-quarter lead to the Lakers on Wednesday, the Clippers took out their frustrations on the reeling Wizards.

Harden led the charge in the second quarter shooting 7 of 9, including knocking down four straight 3-pointers with a long-range heat check for emphasis. He tied his career high in points in a period, tying his fourth quarter at Indiana on December 18. Harden helped the Clippers get up 19 before taking a 79-64 halftime lead.

George, who missed home losses to Sacramento and the Lakers, showed no ill effects as he scored 11 points in the first quarter. He had 17 at halftime.

Kuzma did his best to hold Washington to 26 points in the first half. He was 10 of 14 shooting, 5 of 7 from 3, but didn’t get much help from his teammates, especially from long range.

Westbrook has played in every game for the Clippers this season, averaging 11.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 23 minutes. He had joined the bench after the November 1 trade for James Harden, but remained an important part of the roster as the Clippers pursued their first NBA title.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – Associated Press)