Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Double-doubles from bench
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Westbrook closed Monday's 113-104 loss to the Nuggets with 14 points (5-9 FG, 4-6 FT), 11 rebounds, three assists and one block in 27 minutes.
On paper, the Clippers shouldn't have a 7-9 record, but a weird distribution of talent continues to thwart them. Fantasy managers have to be frustrated with Westbrook's benching, but he's still putting together solid numbers when James Harden struggles. The team would be better served if it could figure out a way to combine Harden and Westbrook with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, but coach Tyronn Lue seems set on bringing Westbrook in with the second unit.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Continues to work off bench
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Westbrook ended with eight points (3-8 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six rebounds, seven assists and two steals across 27 minutes during Wednesday's 109-102 victory over the Spurs.
Westbrook has come off the bench in three straight games in an effort to make the James Harden acquisition work. It appears to be working, as the Clippers have won all three of those contests, but Westbrook's numbers have taken a dip. After averaging 14.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.9 steals through 10 games as a starter, the former MVP has averaged just 8.7 points, 5.0 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 23.0 minutes as a reserve.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Scores eight off bench
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Westbrook closed with eight points (2-9 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 2-4 FT), three rebounds and two assists across 17 minutes during Friday's 106-100 win over the Rockets.
Westbrook requested to come off the bench for Friday's matchup amid the Clippers' recent skid, and the team managed to snap its losing streak with Terance Mann in the starting lineup. Neither player was particularly effective against the Rockets, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Westbrook continue to come off the bench as long as the team can string together some wins. Despite posting back-to-back single-digit scoring totals, the 35-year-old is averaging 13.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.7 steals in 29.5 minutes per game this year.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Set to come off bench Friday
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Westbrook has requested to come off the bench for Friday's game against Houston, Chris Haynes of Turner Sports reports.
The Clippers have struggled to put things together since acquiring James Harden from the 76ers, and Westbrook approached the team's coaching staff to request to come off the bench to help the first unit establish more of a rapport. Terance Mann is set to join the starting lineup for the first time this year in Westbrook's place. Westbrook came off the bench 49 times last season and averaged 16.2 points, 7.7 assists and 6.1 rebounds in 28.7 minutes per game during those appearances.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Scores 14 in loss to Dallas
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Westbrook closed with 14 points (5-11 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 4-5 FT), five rebounds, two assists and three steals over 20 minutes during Friday's 144-126 loss to Dallas.
Westbrook has been consistent with his scoring figures, but that consistency doesn't mean he's been particularly dominant -- he has failed to reach the 15-point mark in four of his eight appearances and hasn't done much in other categories to compensate for the lack of scoring. The days of being an electric point guard who could chip in with a triple-double in any given game are over now, and it seems Westbrook will be nothing more than a secondary alternative in this offensive scheme.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Top distributor in all-around game
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Westbrook had 13 points (6-18 FG, 1-5 3Pt), seven rebounds and eight assists across 31 minutes during Wednesday's 100-93 loss to Brooklyn.
Westbrook led all players in Wednesday's contest in assists while finishing as one of six Clippers in double figures in scoring in a loss to the Nets. Westbrook is off to a strong start to the season in Los Angeles, having posted at least 10 points, five rebounds and five assists in four of his seven appearances.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Still productive alongside Harden
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Westbrook ended Monday's 111-97 loss to the Knicks with 17 points (8-13 FG, 1-3 3Pt), four rebounds and four assists over 31 minutes.
Westbrook may be the Clippers player most likely to be negatively impacted by the recent addition of James Harden, but in the pair's first game together the former showed that he's still capable of putting up a useful stat line. Westbrook finished tied with Harden for second on the team in scoring Monday while registering a respectable dose of dimes and boards. His final rebound and assist numbers were below his season averages, however, and that may become a reality moving forward with another three-category stat-stuffer in Harden now part of the mix. Westbrook may be able to soften the impact of a reduction in those numbers if he can continue shooting well -- he's posting a 53.3 percent field-goal percentage on the campaign, which is well above his career mark.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Expected to start alongside Harden
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Westbrook and James Harden are expected to start together for the Clippers on Monday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Westbrook and Harden will be reunited in their third backcourt after beginning careers in Oklahoma City together, then briefly joining forces in Houston in 2019. Los Angeles exploring this lineup isn't a shock, but it remains to be seen if this will be the long-term starting five for the Clippers.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Nears triple-double against ex-team
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Westbrook finished with 24 points (9-21 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 3-5 FT), 11 rebounds, eight assists and four steals in 44 minutes during Wednesday's 130-125 overtime loss to the Lakers.
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George combined for 73 of the Clippers' 125 points in the overtime defeat, and Westbrook worked as a strong third option with his season-best 24 points. The veteran point guard added a campaign-high 11 boards while notching eight dimes to just miss his first triple-double of the season. Westbrook was prolific on the defensive end as well, following his five-steal effort Tuesday with four thefts one day later. After a somewhat slow offensive start to the campaign, Westbrook has averaged 20.3 points, 8.3 boards, 6.0 assists, 3.3 steals and 2.0 triples over his past three games. He stands to be among the most impacted by the arrival of James Harden via Tuesday's trade with the 76ers, though head coach Tyronn Lue wouldn't say after Wednesday's loss if Westbrook will remain a starter when Harden is ready to make his season debut, per Justin Russo of the 'Clip & Roll' podcast.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Notches five steals
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Westbrook closed with 18 points (8-16 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six rebounds, seven assists, one block and five steals across 33 minutes during Tuesday's 118-102 win over the Magic.
Westbrook has fared well to begin the season, averaging 13.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.8 steals through four games. He'll inevitably lose some usage with James Harden arriving, but Harden won't be taking the floor until Monday against the Knicks at the earliest.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Cleared to play in opener
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Westbrook doesn't appear on the Clippers' injury report for Wednesday's game against the Trail Blazers.
Just like Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, Westbrook was rested in the preseason finale this past Thursday against Denver but is good to go for the regular-season opener. Westbrook took on an expanded role during the Clippers' five-game first-round playoff series loss to the Suns this past spring with averages of 23.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists in 38.2 minutes, but Leonard missed the final three games of the series while George was sidelined entirely. With Leonard and George back to 100 percent to begin the season, Westbrook could fade into more of a secondary role on the offensive end, especially since he'll be starting alongside the two stars rather than serving as a sixth man.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Will be rested
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Westbrook will be rested during Thursday's preseason game against the Nuggets, Joey Linn of Sports Illustrated reports.
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are also getting the night off for rest, allowing Bones Hyland, Terance Mann and Norman Powell a chance to start. Westbrook should be ready to roll for Opening Night on Oct. 25 against Portland.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Set for preseason debut Tuesday
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Westbrook is likely to start Tuesday's preseason contest versus Utah, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.
Westbrook rested during Los Angeles' preseason opener Sunday, but the 34-year-old is expected to join Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in action Tuesday. The game will occur in Seattle, representing a special location for Westbrook given that the Supersonics drafted him in 2008.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Resting Sunday
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Westbrook (rest) will not play in Sunday's preseason game against Utah, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.
Westbrook will get the night off as the Clippers kick off their exhibition schedule. The veteran will likely see limited action throughout the preseason.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Staying in Los Angeles
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Westbrook re-signed with the Clippers on a two-year worth almost $8 million Saturday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Westbrook spent the 2022-23 season with both the Lakers and Clippers, but he was impressive as a starter for the latter, which prompted the franchise to bring him back on a two-year deal. He logged 21 starts for the Clippers last season and averaged 15.8 points, 7.5 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game, numbers that should make him a solid pick up on a value basis.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Goes 3-of-18 in loss
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Westbrook provided 14 points (3-18 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 7-8 FT), eight rebounds and eight assists over 39 minutes during Tuesday's 136-130 loss to the Suns in Game 5 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Westbrook racked up the counting stats as per usual, but unfortunately, his shot failed him, and not for the first time this season. With both Kawhi Leonard (knee) and Paul George (knee) sidelined, Westbrook stepped into a larger role over the past few games. While he did manage to show glimpses of his former self, his limitations remain very real. The Clippers' path forward is far from clear, especially when it comes to Leonard and George who seemingly can't stay healthy. As for Westbrook, he is likely to be shouldered with a similar role next season, even if he is moved out of Los Angeles.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Turns back clock in loss
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Westbrook notched 37 points (17-29 FG, 3-6 3Pt), six rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal in 40 minutes during Saturday's 112-100 loss to the Suns in Game 4 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Westbrook did everything he could to lift the Clippers to victory, scoring a game-high 37 points on 17-of-29 shooting. Without both Paul George (knee) and Kawhi Leonard (knee), Westbrook has had to play as the primary option on offense, a role that he has not had to do for much of the season. While his individual numbers are great, it appears as though the end is nigh for the Clippers, who are now headed back to Phoenix down 3-1 in the series.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Flirts with triple-double in loss
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Westbrook closed Thursday's 129-124 loss to the Suns in Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals with 30 points (11-23 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 5-6 FT), eight rebounds, 12 assists, one block and three steals in 40 minutes.
With Kawhi Leonard (knee) out, Westbrook took on more offensive responsibilities in Game 3 and nearly posted his first triple-double of the playoffs. The veteran point guard didn't shoot extremely well from the field and committed six turnovers, but it was still one of his best performances in a Clipper uniform. Paul George (knee) isn't expected to suit up this series, so if Leonard remains out for Saturday's Game 4, Westbrook may be asked to lead the offense once again.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Shot heats up in loss
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Westbrook contributed 28 points (9-16 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 8-8 FT), five rebounds, five assists and two blocks across 36 minutes during Tuesday's 123-109 loss to the Suns in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Westbrook righted the ship after sinking only 15.6 percent of his 19 attempts in Game 1. Although he failed to collect a steal in Game 2, his success on defense was a positive intangible. Westbrook was able to contain Chris Paul effectively, and when Westbrook slid to Booker in the zone defense, he did all he could to keep Booker in check. The Clippers sorely need more offensive production to aid Kawhi Leonard, and Westbrook's contributions will be critical as the team tries to bounce back.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Struggles with shot in win
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Westbrook produced nine points (3-19 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 10 rebounds, eight assists, three blocks and two steals over 36 minutes during Sunday's 115-110 win over the Suns in Game 1 of the Western Conference First Round.
Westbrook couldn't get many shots to fall, but the veteran was very effective on defense. His secondary categories helped salvage an otherwise ineffective night on offense. Although Kevin Durant finally heated up in the second half, Westbrook was successful in keeping Durant in check when the two shared the floor. Thanks to superb rebound and assist numbers, Westbrook came tantalizingly close to his fifth triple-double of the season.
