Prior to going down with a fractured left hand, LA Clippers guard Russell Westbrook had played 79-straight regular season games since joining the team midway through last season. Westbrook's absence has been felt since the former MVP was sidelined, and that was evident again on Sunday evening when the Clippers were blown out by an Atlanta Hawks team missing Trae Young.
Speaking with reporters after the game, Clippers star Kawhi Leonard was asked about Westbrook, and said, "He’s another guy that comes in with energy, giving us a fast pace… Another defender, another scorer. We definitely miss him."
Leonard acknowledged that the Clippers still have five other players out on the court who can step up and bring intensity, but that isn't happening right now. The Clippers' poor effort was something Leonard emphasize on Sunday, and it's something his co-star Paul George recently pointed out, as well.
The Clippers are 4-5 since Westbrook went down, ranking 23rd in the league defensively. While Westbrook brings a lot on offense, his point of attack defense is one of the biggest ways his absence is being felt right now, as the Clippers have been offering very little resistance on that end.
There is no current timetable for Westbrook's return, but the Clippers certainly need him back as soon as possible to help alleviate their issues with effort, pace, defense, and more.
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