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Russell Westbrook Injury Update Emerges Before Lakers Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Feb 28, 2026 7:28 PM ET

Russell Westbrook was out of action for the Sacramento Kings in their last game. The nine-time All-Star sat out on Thursday as the Kings secured a 130-121 win over the Dallas Mavericks.

Westbrook was sidelined due to a bruised right thigh, which he appeared to have sustained in Wednesday’s 128-97 blowout loss to the Houston Rockets.

Westbrook has been a bright spot amid Sacramento’s rough season. The 6-foot-4 guard has played 56 games with 50 starts, averaging 15.3 points on 43.1% shooting, 5.5 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.3 steals in 28.9 minutes per game. Westbrook is also knocking down 2.0 triples per contest, which is his highest mark since winning the MVP title during the 2016-17 season.

Sacramento Kings guard Russell Westbrook reacts during the first half of an NBA game.Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The Kings are back in action on Sunday. They face off against the Los Angeles Lakers in a road game at Crypto.com Arena.

The good news for Westbrook is that he has been cleared to play. The Kings have already submitted their injury report for the Lakers game, and Westbrook’s name is not on the list. This means that the 37-year-old veteran should be good to go for Sunday’s contest.

Westbrook’s thigh contusion does not sound serious. It’s possible that the Kings held him out on Thursday because it was the tail end of a back-to-back set. Either way, the two-time NBA scoring champion is set to return to face one of his former teams.

Westbrook suited up for the Lakers for half a season during the 2022-23 campaign. L.A. traded him to the Utah Jazz before that season’s trade deadline, marking an end to his brief tenure with the Lakers.

The Kings still have the worst record in the NBA at 14-47. However, they have won two out of their last three games. Westbrook and Co. will be looking to secure another victory on Sunday as they end their five-game road trip.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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