Los Angeles Clippers star Russell Westbrook will be assessed on a weekly basis after undergoing surgery on a hand fracture he suffered last week.
Westbrook fractured his left hand in a collision with Jordan Poole as the Clippers beat the Washington Wizards 140-115 last Friday, with subsequent reports suggesting he could face around a month on the sidelines.
The Clippers’ 39-21 record is good enough for fourth place in the Western Conference following Monday’s 113-106 defeat to the title-chasing Milwaukee Bucks, with the playoffs starting on April 20.
Read our other US sports news stories here:
Lillard stars as Milwaukee Bucks win without Giannis
Chiefs use non-exclusive franchise tag on cornerback Sneed
Denver Broncos release Russell Wilson after torrid two-year spell
Asked about Westbrook’s recovery after the guard underwent surgery to rectify the issue on Monday, Clippers head coach Tyronne Lue said: “He’ll start rehab.
“We’re just going to check on him weekly, just to see how he feels once he starts his rehab.”
The Clippers will be keen to have Westbrook available in early April, with the team set to play eight games in the first 14 days of the month ahead of the postseason.
Westbrook has averaged 11.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game this season, with the Clippers putting together a 35-13 run when he was reintroduced to the starting lineup in November after a spell on the bench.
Final pic.twitter.com/qUB2CAGvlA
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) March 5, 2024
