Russell Westbrook is expected to be out when the playoffs start next week. Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Russell Westbrook to miss at least first few playoff games for Rockets

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 8/13/20

The Houston Rockets are going to have to play their first few playoff games without all-star point guard Russell Westbrook.

Westbrook, who is dealing with a quad injury, is expected to at least miss the first few playoff games for the Rockets, and possibly more, according to the Houston Chronicle's Jonathan Feigen. Westbrook's return will be determined by how he responds to treatment, Feigen adds.

Rockets expect Russell Westbrook to miss at least the start of the playoffs, source said. https://t.co/WrslB1EesE
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) August 13, 2020

The Rockets are set to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the playoffs.

Westbrook, who was a late arrival in Orlando due to a bout with the coronavirus, felt soreness in his right quad after the Rockets' loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Aug. 4. He then sat out the next two games because of a right quad contusion.

The 31-year-old played 28 minutes against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday, recording 20 points, five rebounds and six assists. Westbrook then missed Wednesday's game against the Indiana Pacers and previously was ruled out for Friday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Losing Westbrook for even a few games will be detrimental to the Rockets' lineup. He ranks second on the team in points per game with 27.2, first on the team in rebounds per game with 7.9 and second on the team in assists per game with seven.

Austin Rivers or Ben McLemore could potentially fill in for Westbrook during his absence.

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