The Los Angeles Clippers have cooled off considerably after they were red-hot in December and January.
They have won just half of their last 10 games, and now they have suffered a sizable blow to their championship hopes.
Russell Westbrook suffered a fractured bone in his left hand on Friday, and on Monday he reportedly underwent surgery.
Per Adrian Wojnarowski, the Clippers hope he will be able to return before the start of the playoffs.
ESPN Sources: Clippers guard Russell Westbrook underwent surgery on his fractured left hand on Monday and the hope is that he will return before the start of the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/2cGISST9ZO
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 4, 2024
Many have been falling head over heels in love with the Clippers once again because of their hot streak, and plenty have even declared them as perhaps the favorites to reach the NBA Finals out of the Western Conference.
But during their current cold streak, they have lost to the New Orleans Pelicans, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Sacramento Kings, and Los Angeles Lakers, which are all teams they could face in the playoffs.
The Clippers have always seemed to be the recipient of bad luck, especially at inopportune times, over the past several years dating back to their “Lob City” teams led by Blake Griffin and Chris Paul.
Westbrook has been a key spark plug off the bench ever since joining them about a year ago, and while he’s a flawed player, his ability to create fast-break opportunities and attack the paint with speed are definite assets.
The Clippers are in fourth place in the Western Conference with a 39-20 record, and while they’re four full games ahead of the fifth-place Pelicans, if they continue to struggle, they could see themselves fall in the standings.
NEXT: Tyronn Lue Has Clear Message About Russell Westbrook