The Los Angeles Clippers finally looked like they could be the contender they were supposed to be with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Shockingly, the foursome of Leonard, George, James Harden and Russell Westbrook has actually worked this season.
Unfortunately, that lineup took a major hit on Friday night.
Russell Westbrook left the game against the Wizards in the second quarter with a hand injury. The team later confirmed he has a fracture in his left hand.
Here’s the play where it appears that Russell Westbrook suffer his hand injury. He grabs at and flexes his hand multiple times immediately after trying to poke the ball out of Jordan Poole’s hands. https://t.co/we7FFBzDxX pic.twitter.com/vqgUTDt7px
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) March 2, 2024
Russell Westbrook injury update: Clippers star has fracture in left hand
In a game as reliant on hands as basketball, a hand fracture is never welcome news.
No official source has given an indication as to how long Westbrook is expected out, but it's likely to be a lengthy spell. A similar injury in 2014 resulted in a month-long absence.
Very unfortunate news about Russell Westbrook suffering a break in his left hand. Not sure about the timeline, but when he broke his hand in 2014, he was out for 4-6 weeks.
— Farbod Esnaashari (@Farbod_E) March 2, 2024
Raptors All-Star Scottie Barnes suffered a fracture to his middle finger on his left hand earlier on Friday night and was described by his team as out "indefinitely." It's tough to imagine Westbrook avoids that same tag.
The timing of this injury was never going to be ideal, but it's certainly not welcome with a road trip beginning on Sunday against the Timberwolves and a Monday meeting with the Bucks. LA was already slogging through a rough patch, losing five of their last eight. Paul George was missing for part of that stretch but he returned on Friday and helped the Clippers dominate Washington for much of the outing.
Westbrook has played every game so far for the Clippers. This will be the first time Ty Lue has to work out the lineup without the guard available whether as a starter or off the bench. He moved to the bench to help accommodate the other stars on the team and thrived in that role. LA will be looking for someone else to step up for the next phase of the season.