Report: Clippers’ Russell Westbrook To Play vs. Pacers After Missing 12 Games

According to NBA reporter Joey Linn of Sports Illustrated, Los Angeles Clippers guard Russell Westbrook will play against the Indiana Pacers on Monday (3/25) after missing 12 consecutive games. 

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

Russell Westbrook is making his return from injury tomorrow vs. the Indiana Pacers, sources tell me.

Westbrook’s return comes exactly three weeks after undergoing hand surgery.

The Clippers went 6-6 in his absence.

— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) March 24, 2024

Westbrook is averaging 11.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.4 blocks this season while shooting 45.2% from the field, 26.8% from beyond the arc and 67.7% from the free-throw line. The nine-time All-Star has a plus-minus of +63. 

The Clippers went 6-6 without Westbrook. They are only 5-5 over their last 10 games. 

The NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles, Westbrook broke his right hand during the 2014-15 season when he was on the Oklahoma City Thunder. The California native underwent surgery on November 1 and returned to action on November 28, missing 14 games.

Westbrook signed a two-year, $7.9 million contract with the Clippers last summer in free agency. He’s making $3.8 million this season and has a player option worth $4 million for next season. 

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 top players in NBA history. 

The Clippers are 44-26 on the season. They are in fourth place in the Western Conference standings.

With Westbrook, James Harden, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George leading the way, the Clippers are expected to compete for this year’s championship. LAC has never made the Finals in franchise history.