According to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Los Angeles Clippers point guard Russell Westbrook underwent surgery on his left hand today.
Westbrook suffered a fractured left hand against the Washington Wizards on March 1. The Clippers hope the UCLA product can return before the 2024 playoffs.
Westbrook is averaging 11.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.4 blocks this season while shooting 45.2% from the field, 26.8% from beyond the arc and 67.7% from the free-throw line. The nine-time All-Star has a plus-minus of +63.
The NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles, Westbrook broke his right hand during the 2014-15 season when he was on the Oklahoma City Thunder. The California native underwent surgery on November 1 and returned to action on November 28, missing 14 games.
Westbrook signed a two-year, $7.9 million contract with the Clippers last summer in free agency. He’s making $3.8 million this season and has a player option worth $4 million for next season.
“He’s going to stay engaged regardless,” Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue said of Westbrook. “That’s just who he is. And so we need him around, we need his energy, we need him talking, the way he leads. Until he is able to get back, we’re going to miss him. So hopefully it’s a speedy recovery and we get him back sooner than later, but I’m not sure the timetable right now.”
Westbrook has career averages of 21.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.3 blocks with the Thunder, Houston Rockets, Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers. He’s one of the best players in NBA history.
The Clippers are 39-20 on the season. They are in fourth place in the Western Conference standings.
“Just feel bad for Russ right now,” Lue added. “You never want to see a player get hurt. (Jordan) Poole drove around and he tried to deflect it from the back. I think he hit his elbow with his hand. So we don’t know what timetable, don’t know if he needs surgery or anything yet, but he’s out right now. So just trying to figure it out.”
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