Clippers star Russell Westbrook has made a home for himself in the City of Angels, pairing with Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden to help lead the Clippers. But a hand injury threw a wrench in his season.
The league's all-time leader in triple-doubles is shining in a bench role, averaging 11.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 22.6 minutes per game.
Westbrook holds a pivotal piece in head coach Tyronn Lue's lineup. But he has been sidelined since early March after breaking his hand against the Wizards.
Here's what you need to know.
What is Russell Westbrook's injury?
Westbrook fractured his left hand in Los Angeles' 140-115 win over Washington on Friday, March 1
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook has a fractured left hand, team says.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 2, 2024
The 35-year-old guard appeared to suffer the injury partway through the second quarter after getting tangled up with Wizards guard Jordan Poole. While attempting to poke the ball out of Poole's grasp, Westbrook's hand smashed into Poole on the hip.
Westbrook stayed in the game for another two minutes before heading into the locker room. He did not return, and Los Angeles announced after the victory that Westbrook's injury was indeed a fractured left hand.
"Just feel bad for Russ right now," Lue said. "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's teammates offered a similar sentiment.
"[We'll miss] his athleticism, his energy, his play-making ability, his leadership," Harden said.
How long is Russell Westbrook out?
Westbrook could return next week, possibly against the Pacers on Monday, March 25, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported.
The Clippers have 15 games remaining in the regular season.
With a 43-25 record, LA currently has the fourth-best record in the Western Conference standings, leading New Orleans in fifth place by 1.5 games and trailing Minnesota in third place by 3.5 games.
If the season ended today, the Clippers would face the Pelicans in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
Clippers upcoming schedule 2023-24
Here's a look at the upcoming games in the Clippers' calendar:
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
| March 22 | at Trail Blazers | 10 p.m. |
| March 24 | vs. 76ers | 3:30 p.m. |
| March 25 | vs. Pacers | 10:30 p.m. |
| March 27 | at 76ers | 7:30 p.m. |
| March 29 | at Magic | 7:00 p.m. |
Russell Westbrook 2023-24 season stats
- 11.1 points per game
- 5.1 rebounds per game
- 4.4 assists per game
- 1.1 steals per game
- 0.4 blocks per game
- 2.0 turnovers per game
- 45.2 percent field goal shooting
- 26.8 percent 3-point shooting
- 67.7 percent free throw shooting
