Westbrook will come off the bench during Sunday's game against the Rockets, Lachard Binkley of SI.com reports.
Westbrook will move to the bench Sunday after starting the last four games, and he'll be replaced by veteran big man DeAndre Jordan in the first unit. In his last three games in a reserve role, Westbrook has averaged 11.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 28.3 minutes per contest.
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Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Hits for 18 in Portland
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Westbrook accumulated 18 points (6-13 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 6-8 FT), four rebounds, four assists and three steals in 30 minutes during Friday's 128-109 loss to the Trail Blazers.
The veteran guard added to an impressively consistent March that has seen him score in double digits in 10 of 11 games (eight starts) while recording at least one steal in nine of 11. On the month, Westbrook is averaging 15.5 points, 6.6 assists, 5.5 boards, 2.0 threes and 1.6 steals in 32.7 minutes a contest. That elevated workload could be scaled back if Julian Strawther (knee) is able to return before the end of the regular season, but time is running out for the second-year wing to get back into the rotation.
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Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Struggles with shot in loss
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Westbrook closed Wednesday's 120-108 loss to the Lakers with 12 points (4-14 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 3-5 FT), four rebounds, nine assists and two steals in 29 minutes.
The depleted Nuggets desperately needed production from Westbrook with Jamal Murray (ankle) and Nikola Jokic (elbow) out, but he was unable to rise to the occasion. While Westbrook logged nine assists, his scoring regressed significantly. Even a standout game from the veteran might not have mattered, as the Lakers blew the Nuggets out in the first quarter and never looked back. Looking into the future, Westbrook could be the odd man out of the lineup once the team returns to full health, as Aaron Gordon's recent success will place him alongside Jokic. The combo of Murray, Christian Braun, Michael Porter, Gordon and Jokic would put Westbrook back into cleanup duty. However, he'll still see plenty of minutes if the Nuggets take a cautious approach with the injured playmakers.
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Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Shines with triple-double in win
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Westbrook posted 12 points (5-18 FG, 2-9 3Pt), 12 rebounds, 16 assists, two blocks and three steals over 42 minutes during Monday's 114-105 win over the Warriors.
Westbrook took over at point guard for Jamal Murray (ankle) and posted his fourth triple-double of the season. Although the veteran has been the odd man out of the first unit when the team is fully healthy, the recent tandem of Westbrook and Murray has proven to be a successful formula for the Nuggets. His potential is uncapped when he receives first-unit minutes, but Westbrook's only chance of getting them consistently is a demotion for Christian Braun (foot), which is unlikely.
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Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Double-doubles in start Saturday
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Westbrook accumulated 22 points (9-19 FG, 4-8 3Pt), 11 assists, four rebounds and one steal in 37 minutes during Saturday's 126-123 loss to the Wizards.
The veteran point guard received the starting nod due to Aaron Gordon (calf) being sidelined in the second night of a back-to-back set. Westbrook finished as the club's third-leading scorer and recorded a game-high 11 assists en route to his 10th double-double on the season. The 36-year-old will likely continue to join the starting five whenever Gordon is sidelined due to injury management. Westbrook has made 32 starts this season, during which he has averaged 14.9 points, 6.8 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals across 31.2 minutes per game.
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Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Starting Saturday vs. WAS
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Westbrook is in the Nuggets' starting lineup against the Wizards on Saturday.
Westbrook will make his 32nd start of the season Saturday (and fifth since the beginning of March) due to the absence of Aaron Gordon (calf). Westbrook has averaged 13.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 0.9 steals over 28.4 minutes per game since the All-Star break.
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Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Coming off bench against Lakers
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Westbrook will come off the bench in Friday's game against the Lakers.
Aaron Gordon (calf) is good to go Friday, pushing Westbrook into a reserve role. The veteran guard has averaged 12.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks in 28.5 minutes across 11 games since the All-Star break.
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Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Pops for 19 in Wednesday's loss
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Westbrook logged 19 points (8-12 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, one assist and three steals over 33 minutes during Wednesday's 115-95 loss to the Timberwolves.
Making his second straight start as the Nuggets go with a smaller lineup while Aaron Gordon (calf) is sidelined, Westbrook had an efficient shooting night while nabbing his highest steal total since Jan. 4. The veteran guard has scored in double digits in five of six March appearances, averaging 15.0 points, 5.2 boards, 4.3 assists, 2.0 threes, 1.3 steals and 0.8 blocks to begin the month.
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Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Hits for 16 in spot start
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Westbrook finished Monday's 140-127 win over Oklahoma City with 16 points (6-10 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 1-2 FT), five rebounds, seven assists and one block over 33 minutes.
With Aaron Gordon (calf) unavailable, Westbrook slid into the starting five and dished his highest assist total since Feb. 20. The 36-year-old guard is a long way from his days of being a nightly threat for a triple-double, but Westbrook can still be productive. He's drained at least one three-pointer in seven straight games (three starts), averaging 12.7 points, 5.3 boards, 4.6 assists, 1.9 threes, 1.0 steals and 0.9 blocks in 29.6 minutes over that stretch.
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Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Starting sans Gordon
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Westbrook will enter the starting lineup in Monday's game against Oklahoma City.
The veteran playmaker will return to the starting five due to Aaron Gordon (calf) being sidelined. Westbrook has started in 29 outings this season, and he has averaged 13.8 points, 5.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals across 33.6 minutes per game over his last five starts.
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Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Provides lift despite shooting woes
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Westbrook contributed four points (1-9 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 11 rebounds, five assists and one block across 31 minutes during Sunday's 127-103 loss to Oklahoma City.
Westbrook struggled shooting from the field Sunday but still made a large impact off the bench for Denver, leading all second-unit players in rebounds and assists over a bench-high minute total. Westbrook finished as one of three Nuggets with a double-digit rebound total, his eighth outing of the season with 10 or more boards. He has posted at least 10 rebounds and five assists in seven contests.
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Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Puts up 25 points in win
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Westbrook supplied 25 points (10-20 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 1-1 FT), five rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals over 35 minutes during Wednesday's 116-110 victory over the Kings.
Westbrook had a successful evening, connecting on 50 percent of his shots and drilling four three-pointers in the victory. Some of Westbrook's best totals have come with the first unit, and the Nuggets are 21-8 when they insert Westbrook into the starting five. It's worth noting that the Nuggets also went 7-0 during Westbrook's recent seven-game absence.
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Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Provides boost offensively in start
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Westbrook closed Sunday's 110-103 loss to Boston with 12 points (5-13 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 0-1 FT), three rebounds, six assists, one block and two steals over 36 minutes.
Westbrook got the starting nod Sunday due to Aaron Gordon (ankle) being inactive, providing a lift to Denver offensively by finishing as one of three Nuggets with six or more assists to go along with a double-digit scoring total. Westbrook has started in 28 contests this season, recording at least 10 points and five assists in 16 of those outings.
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Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Starting sans Gordon
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Westbrook will enter the starting lineup in Sunday's game against Boston.
The veteran guard will return to the starting five, supplanting Zeke Nnaji in the first unit due to Aaron Gordon (ankle) being sidelined. Westbrook has operated off the bench in each of his last five outings since returning from a hamstring injury, during which he has averaged 10.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists across 23.8 minutes per contest.
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Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Seven assists in return Thursday
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Westbrook (hamstring) registered eight points (3-10 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 1-1 FT), seven assists and three rebounds over 26 minutes during Thursday's 129-115 win over the Hornets.
Westbrook struggled with efficiency during his return from a seven-game absence due to a left hamstring strain. However, the veteran playmaker led the Denver bench in assists during his limited run. Westbrook became a mainstay in the starting five during January, but it's unclear if he'll unseat Christian Braun for a spot on the top unit now that he's healthy again.
Westbrook (hamstring) will be available for Thursday's game against Charlotte.
Westbrook missed Denver's final seven games before the All-Star break, but he practiced in full Wednesday and is no longer appearing on the injury report. Coach Michael Malone wasn't ready to name his starting lineup for Thursday, but Westbrook likely will reclaim a starting role after some strong performances in January.
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Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Participates in practice Wednesday
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Westbrook (hamstring) participates in practice Wednesday, Vinny Benedetto of The Denver Gazette reports.
Westbrook has missed the last seven games while dealing with a left hamstring strain. Before going down with the injury, the veteran guard had carved out a role as a starter in Denver, averaging 14.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game, shooting 53.8 percent from the field in 20 straight games in the first unit for head coach Michael Malone.
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