Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Staying in Los Angeles
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Westbrook re-signed with the Clippers on a two-year worth almost $8 million Saturday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Westbrook spent the 2022-23 season with both the Lakers and Clippers, but he was impressive as a starter for the latter, which prompted the franchise to bring him back on a two-year deal. He logged 21 starts for the Clippers last season and averaged 15.8 points, 7.5 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game, numbers that should make him a solid pick up on a value basis.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Goes 3-of-18 in loss
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Westbrook provided 14 points (3-18 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 7-8 FT), eight rebounds and eight assists over 39 minutes during Tuesday's 136-130 loss to the Suns in Game 5 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Westbrook racked up the counting stats as per usual, but unfortunately, his shot failed him, and not for the first time this season. With both Kawhi Leonard (knee) and Paul George (knee) sidelined, Westbrook stepped into a larger role over the past few games. While he did manage to show glimpses of his former self, his limitations remain very real. The Clippers' path forward is far from clear, especially when it comes to Leonard and George who seemingly can't stay healthy. As for Westbrook, he is likely to be shouldered with a similar role next season, even if he is moved out of Los Angeles.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Turns back clock in loss
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Westbrook notched 37 points (17-29 FG, 3-6 3Pt), six rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal in 40 minutes during Saturday's 112-100 loss to the Suns in Game 4 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Westbrook did everything he could to lift the Clippers to victory, scoring a game-high 37 points on 17-of-29 shooting. Without both Paul George (knee) and Kawhi Leonard (knee), Westbrook has had to play as the primary option on offense, a role that he has not had to do for much of the season. While his individual numbers are great, it appears as though the end is nigh for the Clippers, who are now headed back to Phoenix down 3-1 in the series.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Flirts with triple-double in loss
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Westbrook closed Thursday's 129-124 loss to the Suns in Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals with 30 points (11-23 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 5-6 FT), eight rebounds, 12 assists, one block and three steals in 40 minutes.
With Kawhi Leonard (knee) out, Westbrook took on more offensive responsibilities in Game 3 and nearly posted his first triple-double of the playoffs. The veteran point guard didn't shoot extremely well from the field and committed six turnovers, but it was still one of his best performances in a Clipper uniform. Paul George (knee) isn't expected to suit up this series, so if Leonard remains out for Saturday's Game 4, Westbrook may be asked to lead the offense once again.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Shot heats up in loss
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Westbrook contributed 28 points (9-16 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 8-8 FT), five rebounds, five assists and two blocks across 36 minutes during Tuesday's 123-109 loss to the Suns in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Westbrook righted the ship after sinking only 15.6 percent of his 19 attempts in Game 1. Although he failed to collect a steal in Game 2, his success on defense was a positive intangible. Westbrook was able to contain Chris Paul effectively, and when Westbrook slid to Booker in the zone defense, he did all he could to keep Booker in check. The Clippers sorely need more offensive production to aid Kawhi Leonard, and Westbrook's contributions will be critical as the team tries to bounce back.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Struggles with shot in win
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Westbrook produced nine points (3-19 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 10 rebounds, eight assists, three blocks and two steals over 36 minutes during Sunday's 115-110 win over the Suns in Game 1 of the Western Conference First Round.
Westbrook couldn't get many shots to fall, but the veteran was very effective on defense. His secondary categories helped salvage an otherwise ineffective night on offense. Although Kevin Durant finally heated up in the second half, Westbrook was successful in keeping Durant in check when the two shared the floor. Thanks to superb rebound and assist numbers, Westbrook came tantalizingly close to his fifth triple-double of the season.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Goes for 20 points in win
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Westbrook ended with 20 points (9-14 FG, 2-3 3Pt), six rebounds and six assists over 25 minutes during Saturday's 136-125 win over Portland.
Westbrook's numbers have been decent since joining the Clippers, but at the same time, they've been far from spectacular. The veteran point guard has scored at least 20 points in three of his last five contests and is expected to be one of the Clippers' main offensive weapons come playoff time.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Steps up in scoring column
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Westbrook finished Saturday's 122-114 loss to the Pelicans with 24 points (9-18 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 3-5 FT), nine assists, three rebounds, one steal and one block in 40 minutes.
After struggling to a four-point, five-turnover outing his last time out in Friday's loss to the Grizzlies, Westbrook was able to save face in the second half of the back-to-back set. Though his struggles at the free-throw line continued, Westbrook was otherwise efficient as a shooter and with the ball, committing just one turnover on the day. He should continue to see a slight uptick in his overall production while the Clippers seek secondary playmaking behind Kawhi Leonard in the continued absence of Paul George (knee).
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Hands out 11 dimes
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Westbrook ended with four points (2-8 FG, 0-3 3Pt), four rebounds, 11 assists, one block and one steal over 26 minutes during Friday's 108-94 loss to the Grizzlies.
Westbrook had a rough night from the floor but still partially salvaged his fantasy output with 11 assists, his highest tally since he ended up with 14 in his Clippers debut. The days of Westbrook being the top fantasy player are long gone, but he remains a productive asset, though very inconsistent on a game-to-game basis. He's been thriving in the assists department of late, with 10 or more in three straight outings.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Shines as top option
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Westbrook closed Wednesday's 141-132 win over the Grizzlies with 36 points (13-18 FG, 5-5 3Pt, 5-9 FT), 10 assists, four rebounds and two blocks over 35 minutes.
With Paul George (knee) and Kawhi Leonard (personal) sitting out, Westbrook stepped up to lead the L.A. offense. The 36 points were a season high, as were his five made triples. He also reached double digits in assists for the second straight game. Though he continues to struggle from the free-throw line and had connected on only one-quarter of his three-point attempts as a member of the Clippers prior to Wednesday's 5-for-5 showing, Westbrook has at least improved his efficiency from the field. He's now converting at a 49.2 percent rate from the field in a Clipper uniform, and if he continues to eschew the three-point shot, he could end up being something close to a neutral performer in field-goal percentage the rest of the way rather than the major liability he's been for much of his career. Westbrook will lose out on some usage if Leonard is back in action for Friday's rematch with Memphis, but the veteran point guard should still be a solid source of counting stats while George is likely sidelined through the end of the regular season.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Drops 24 points in win
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Westbrook posted 24 points (8-13 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 6-8 FT), two rebounds, seven assists and one block in 30 minutes during Thursday's 127-105 victory over the Thunder.
With Paul George (knee) out of action, Westbrook served as Los Angeles' de facto No. 2 offensive option behind Kawhi Leonard. The veteran point guard rose to the challenge, finishing second on the team in scoring and tying for the lead with seven assists. Westbrook figures to continue to see ample room for production with George expected to miss multiple weeks, so he should be able to improve upon the 10.9 points per game he was averaging across his previous seven contests entering Thursday.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Keeps production up in loss
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Westbrook totaled 15 points (6-10 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 3-5 FT), eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block across 26 minutes during Tuesday's 101-100 loss to the Thunder.
After making just one-third of his field-goal attempts over the previous three games, Westbrook showed improved efficiency Tuesday, at least from the field. His assist production surprisingly took a big hit, but expect a bounce back in that department -- as well as the scoring column -- at least for the short term, as Paul George (knee) exited late in the contest with an injury that is expected to cost him time. Kawhi Leonard will be locked in as the Clippers' clear No. 1 options sans George, but players like Westbrook, Eric Gordon and Marcus Morris should all be thrust into more responsibility on the offensive end.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Just misses triple-double
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Westbrook notched nine points (3-12 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 12 rebounds and 10 assists in 34 minutes during Sunday's 117-102 victory over the Trail Blazers.
Westbrook was one point shy of a triple-double, but he was woeful from the field and committed four turnovers, giving him 10 total over his past two appearances. The veteran point guard's tenure with the Clippers has been a mixed bag. He's averaging 13.1 points, 7.8 assists, 5.2 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 3.8 turnovers across 11 games with his new team, and after Los Angeles dropped its first five games with Westbrook in town, the Clippers have now won five of six matchups and sit in fifth place in the Western Conference.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Produces turnover-free line
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Westbrook finished with 15 points (6-16 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 1-2 FT), nine rebounds, seven assists and two steals across 27 minutes in Wednesday's 134-126 win over the Warriors.
Westbrook's stat line contained its usual poor shooting from the field and poor shooting from the free-throw line, but it was noticeably lacking in any turnovers. While absence of turnovers was an unexpected outcome for Westbrook on a night he played nearly 30 minutes and took on a 25.3 percent usage rate, fantasy managers shouldn't expect mistake-free basketball from the veteran point guard with any sort of regularity. Even though he's still been taking a back seat to Kawhi Leonard and Paul George since joining the Clippers, Westbrook is still averaging 3.6 turnovers per game through nine appearances with his new team.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Only 23 minutes in victory
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Westbrook finished with seven points (3-8 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-3 FT), five rebounds, three assists and one steal in 23 minutes during Saturday's 106-95 victory over New York.
Westbrook was limited to just 23 minutes in the win, a trend that now spans two straight games. Coincidently, the Clippers have won both games in which Westbrook has been limited. Perhaps the coaching staff has figured out that his on-court impact is modest. While it appears that he will remain with the starting unit, Westbrook's fantasy value will take a big hit if he settles in around only 23 minutes per night.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Falls back to earth in win
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Westbrook produced nine points (4-9 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-1 FT), five rebounds, six assists and one steal in 34 minutes during Sunday's 135-129 victory over the Grizzlies.
Although Westbrook played 34 minutes, he lacked shooting opportunities and couldn't anything going in the scoring column. He did manage five rebounds and six assists, which saved an otherwise mediocre line.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Bounces back against Kings
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Westbrook provided 27 points (12-16 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-5 FT), two rebounds, 10 assists, two blocks and one steal across 35 minutes during Friday's 128-127 loss to the Kings.
Westbrook was coming off a subpar eight-point, six-assist performance against the Warriors on March 2, but he bounced back less than 24 hours after that woeful game to deliver a double-double. Westbrook has three double-doubles in five outings with the Clippers.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Subpar performance Thursday
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Westbrook posted eight points (3-12 FG, 0-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and six assists over 28 minutes during Thursday's 115-91 loss to Golden State.
Westbrook was largely ineffective in Thursday's loss, ending with more field-goal attempts than points while failing to contribute in a big way in other categories. He was coming off two double-doubles in his previous three starts with the Clippers and is averaging 14.0 points, 8.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game since joining Los Angeles.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Double-doubles in starting role
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Westbrook totaled 14 points (5-11 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, 10 assists and one steal over 28 minutes during Tuesday's 108-101 loss to the Timberwolves.
Westbrook appears to have a firm hold on the starting job with the Clippers. This development certainly compromises managers who have Terance Mann on their roster. To Westbrook's credit, he's played exceptionally well in his first three games with the Clippers, averaging 16.0 points, 9.3 assists, 5.7 rebounds and an impressive 2.3 steals since joining the team.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Racks up five steals vs. Nuggets
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Westbrook totaled 17 points (6-10 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 4-4 FT), five rebounds, four assists and five steals across 25 minutes during Sunday's 134-124 overtime loss to the Nuggets.
Westbrook played 39 minutes during his Clippers debut in Friday's double-overtime loss to Sacramento, but he was on the court for just 25 minutes during Sunday's overtime defeat. He was unable to record a second consecutive double-double, but he matched his highest steal total of the season. The 34-year-old should have more opportunities to contribute now that he's starting with his new team.
