Westbrook suffers hand fracture in Clippers' win
Los Angeles Clippers guard Russell Westbrook suffered a broken hand in the first half of Friday's 140-115 win over the Washington Wizards, the team announced.
A return timetable wasn't immediately provided for Westbrook, who played 10 minutes off the bench against Washington before bowing out with six points and an assist.
Speaking to reporters postgame, Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue said he was unsure if Westbrook would require surgery, according to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk.
Los Angeles didn't specify when or how the former MVP was injured. However, the 35-year-old grabbed his left hand in apparent discomfort early in the second quarter after attempting to dispossess Wizards guard Jordan Poole from behind.
Here’s the play where it appears that Russell Westbrook suffer his hand injury. He grabs at and flexes his hand multiple times immediately after trying to poke the ball out of Jordan Poole’s hands. https://t.co/we7FFBzDxX pic.twitter.com/vqgUTDt7px
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) March 2, 2024
Westbrook remained in the game after the incident before making way for Paul George at the 8:10 mark. He was then ruled out for the remainder of the contest.
The Clippers veteran is the second player Friday to sustain a fractured left hand. Toronto Raptors All-Star Scottie Barnes suffered the same injury in the second quarter of his team's loss to the Golden State Warriors. Barnes was ruled out indefinitely.
Westbrook has found relative success since transitioning to a bench role after starting the first 10 games of the season. Entering Friday's contest, the nine-time All-Star was averaging 10.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in 47 games as a reserve, during which L.A. has gone 34-13 and quickly climbed up the Western Conference standings. The Clippers were 3-7 during his 10-game stint to open the season as a starter.