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Ohm Youngmisuk, ESPN writer
LA Clippers guard Russell Westbrook is expected to return to the lineup next week, perhaps as soon as Monday against the Indiana Pacers, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Monday’s game against the Pacers will mark three weeks since Westbrook underwent surgery to repair a broken left hand he suffered on March 1 against Washington.
The Clippers have missed the aggressive energy and hustle of one of the league’s best sixth men. They were 5-5 without their former MVP point guard heading into Friday’s game in Portland.
Westbrook is averaging 11.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists this season in 58 games. He started the first 10 games of the season, but made the decision to come off the bench to help the Clippers fit better after the James Harden trade.
From his first game off the bench against Houston on Nov. 17 to the time he suffered his hand injury against Washington on March 1, the Clippers went 28-8.
Westbrook’s return will provide a welcome jolt to a Clippers team that recently lost four of five games.
During Wednesday’s 116-103 win at Portland, Harden went viral for jokingly shutting down Kawhi Leonard’s 3-point attempt after passing to Leonard in the corner when the Clippers were up by 21 in the third quarter. Leonard missed the 3-pointer, but the possession ended with Amir Coffey hitting an open 3-pointer.
Harden explained that he was trying to lighten the mood of the Clippers, who had been a bit down until that point.
“I have to bring some excitement to the team,” Harden said of the moment. “I think these last few weeks have been a fog for us, and I think every team goes through that. So I think it’s just me trying to create a great energy, create a great vibe for this team. I mean, it would be.” It would have been better if he had gotten it right. “Just giving something to laugh about, some excitement for the season.”
Westbrook is the only player to average 10 points, five rebounds and five assists off the bench in his career since starters were first followed in 1970-71 (minimum 50 games) according to ESPN Stats and Information.
He ranks in the top 10 in assists per game off the bench this season. And the Clippers will welcome their defense, as the point guard has limited opponents to 39.7% shooting as a contending defender this season, third-best among players who have taken 300 or more shots this season by Second Spectrum.