As if the Los Angeles Lakers were going through any fewer troubles, Russell Westbrook is also injured. It looks like the Lakers are a pile of injured superstars who wish to play the postseason from the bench. On the one hand, where LA started the new year with a win, Russ began with an injury to his foot. Everything inside the Lakers is restless for the moment due to their poor decision-making for the future. The front office is still blasting brains over the Lakers’ future. But all that brainstorming has still not resulted in anything solid.
Russell Westbrook had to walk out of the game against the Charlotte Hornets due to a foot injury. The 34-year-old reserved point guard played for just 11 minutes and then made his way out to the sidelines. He was expected to come out after halftime, but his absence raised some concerns. Westbrook’s departure meant that LeBron James would have to shoulder all his team’s responsibilities. In the end, James did a good job leading his team to victory with a sensational record-breaking performance.
What Happened To Russell Westbrook?
In the postgame interview, the head coach Darvin Ham said it was better to rest Russell Westbrook than to push him. The left foot problem that he is suffering from is a long-term problem for Russ. Westbrook’s name often came under the probable list due to his left foot soreness. However, the 34-year-old is an amazing athlete whose absence could be a major missing since they are already missing Davis. Fortunately, the reports suggest that his injury is not a long-term concern. But he is listed as probable for LA’s next clash at home against the Miami Heat.
In the meantime, fans hope he is back on the team just in time for the game against the Heats. The Lakers are missing their 29-year-old superstar Anthony Davis, and King James has problems with his ankle. So at this point in time, Russell Westbrook’s return would be nothing less than a blessing for the roster. Westbrook is averaging 14.3 points, 6.2 assists, and 0.9 steals in a season where he became a hero from zero. However, it was not always the case, as Russell Westbrook started the season with a target on his back.
Russ was seen as a liability in the early parts of the season when the Lakers lost their first game against the Warriors. And he was already a flop signing as they had a poor 2021 NBA season which threw them out before the postseason. But things soon started changing for the point guard when he adopted the role assigned by Ham.
The head coach wanted to start him from the bench, which Russell Westbrook has never done in his career. However, when acclimatized to the role, he soon became the sixth man of the year nominee for the fans. And now he is an important part of the team that the front office is afraid to let go.