Russell Westbrook on OT benching: 'We won the game and that's all that matters'

The Los Angeles Lakers' complicated situation with Russell Westbrook took another turn Saturday night when the point guard was benched in overtime against the New York Knicks. With Westbrook watching from the bench, the Lakers won, 122-115.

"The best part of this game is that you win," Westbrook told reporters after the game, via ESPN. "Guys competed. We won the game and that's all that matters."

Westbrook, 33, made just one of his 10 shots Saturday, three of his seven free throws, and turned the ball over a team-high four times. The Lakers were outscored by 15 points during Westbrook's 29 minutes on the floor.

"I think obviously Russ was having a tough night on both sides of the ball and [LeBron James] was really going," Lakers coach Frank Vogel explained after the game, via ESPN. So I knew the ball was going to be in Bron's hands and I felt like we were going to get more from a defensive perspective and off-ball action with Talen [Horton-Tucker], so ... you just make tough decisions in the spirit of whatever the team needs to win a game."

Westbrook was acquired by the Lakers in August 2021 in a trade that united a former MVP and nine-time All-Star with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. But Westbrook's 18.4 points per game is his lowest average since his second season in the NBA.

The benching comes with the trade deadline just days away. Westbrook's making over $44.2 million this season and is set to make another $47.1 million next season.