Clippers’ Russell Westbrook Could Miss Rest Of March

Westbrook suffered a fractured left hand against the Washington Wizards on March 1. 

“Los Angeles Clippers point guard Russell Westbrook suffered a left hand fracture in the first half of Friday’s game against the Washington Wizards, the team announced,” Murray wrote. “The injury is expected to cost Westbrook most, if not all, of the month of March.”

Westbrook is averaging 11.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists this season while shooting 45.2% from the field, 26.8% from 3 and 67.7% from the free-throw line. 

“Just feel bad for Russ right now,” Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue said. “You never want to see a player get hurt. (Jordan) Poole drove around and he tried to deflect it from the back. I think he hit his elbow with his hand. So we don’t know what timetable, don’t know if he needs surgery or anything yet, but he’s out right now. So just trying to figure it out.”

Westbrook broke his right hand during the 2014-15 season when he was on the Oklahoma City Thunder. He underwent surgery on November 1 and returned to action on November 28, missing 14 games.

“He’s going to stay engaged regardless,” Lue said of Westbrook. “That’s just who he is. And so we need him around, we need his energy, we need him talking, the way he leads. Until he is able to get back, we’re going to miss him. So hopefully it’s a speedy recovery and we get him back sooner than later, but I’m not sure the timetable right now.”

Westbrook signed a two-year, $7.9 million contract with the Clippers last offseason in free agency. The UCLA product is making $3.8 million this season. He has a player option worth $4 million for next season. 

The 2016-17 MVP, Westbrook has career averages of 21.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.3 blocks with the Thunder, Houston Rockets, Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers. He’s one of the greatest players in NBA history. 

Westbrook is the NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles. 

The Clippers are 39-20. They are in fourth place in the Western Conference standings.