Russell Westbrook might be back in the Los Angeles Clippers‘exactly three weeks after undergoing surgery on his fractured left hand. Westbrook, who was injured in a game on March 1 and had surgery three days later, is expected to return next week, perhaps as early as next Monday’s game against the Indiana Pacers in Los Angeles, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Westbrook will return to a Clippers team that has been alarmingly average for nearly two months. After making 31-8 with the best offense in the NBA (and above average defense) from November 17 to February 5, they went 9-10 since then, with a bottom-six defense (and an attack squarely in the middle of the pack).
On February 6, the Clippers had the best record in the Western Conference. They now sit in fourth place, five games behind first and three games in the loss column behind third. Minnesota Timberwolveswith the New Orleans Pelicans on their heels. Westbrook’s injury occurred midway through this slide, and Los Angeles must hope he gives them a boost off the bench when he returns.
However, before the injury, Westbrook’s production was one of the reasons for the Clippers’ struggles. In his most recent nine games, including the 10-minute appearance in which he broke his hand, Westbrook shot a combined 31-of-88 (35.2%), including 4-of-24 at 3 points (16.7%). with averages per 36 minutes of 15.1 points, 4.9 assists and 4.2 rebounds. (In the previous 49 games, Westbrook shot 47% from the field and 28.9% from 3-point range, with averages per 36 minutes of 18 points, 7.4 assists and 8.7 rebounds.)
Ideally, the Clippers, who were also deprived of the sixth man of the year candidate Norman Powell over the last two games, will head into the playoffs with a healthy and useful version of Westbrook. At his best, he changes plays by picking up the pace after defensive stops, jumping passing lanes, crashing the offensive glass, and generally providing his brand of energy and intensity. And at their best, the Clippers are true title contenders, with three stars, depth at every position and plenty of roster versatility. The question is whether he – and they – can return to form in the coming weeks.
If Westbrook doesn’t face the Pacers, he will likely return on the following four-game road trip. Los Angeles travels to Philadelphia next Wednesday, then travels to Orlando, Charlotte and Sacramento.
