Clippers’ Russell Westbrook Out Indefinitely With Fractured Left Hand

Los Angeles Clippers point guard Russell Westbrook suffered a fractured left hand last night (3/1) against the Washington Wizards. The former NBA MVP will be out indefinitely.

“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 hasn’t missed a game this season. He’s averaging 11.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists while shooting 45.2% from the field, 26.8% from beyond the arc and 67.7% from the free-throw line. 

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. 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. 

The Clippers are 38-20. They are in fourth place in the Western Conference standings.