Weeks ago, the Los Angeles Clippers were arguably the hottest team in the NBA, and the national media was absolutely in love with their chances of reaching the NBA Finals.
But they have lost 10 of their last 19 games, a slide that has coincided with reserve guard Russell Westbrook going on the injured list due to a fractured left hand.
Per Adrian Wojnarowski, Westbrook could return to game action as early as Monday, March 25.
Los Angeles Clippers guard Russell Westbrook is expected to return to the lineup next week — perhaps as soon as Monday vs. the Indiana Pacers, sources tell ESPN. Westbrook — one of the league’s top sixth men — had surgery to repair a fractured left hand three weeks ago. pic.twitter.com/cL6JdNyVaO
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 22, 2024
Westbrook isn’t quite the player he was a few years ago when he won the 2017 regular season MVP and averaged a triple-double in four out of five seasons, but he’s still a good player, despite his flaws.
His ability to push the pace, attack the paint, and get others easy baskets is integral to the Clippers, especially since no one else on the roster possesses those skills or talents.
One concern the team has is it’s age — per basketball-reference.com, they have the oldest team in the league, and they don’t consistently get easy baskets in transition, especially with Westbrook out.
In February, it looked like they had a shot at snagging the top seed in the Western Conference, but now, they’re in fourth place with a 43-25 record.
There is a good chance that they would have to take on the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets in the second round of the playoffs, and that could spell doom for them.
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