Westbrook is in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Jazz.
Westbrook will start at point guard for the first time this season while Jamal Murray (concussion) is sidelined. Through the first five games of the regular season, Westbrook is averaging 8.8 points, 4.0 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals over 20.8 minutes per game.
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Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Efficient effort in OT win
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Westbrook totaled 22 points (5-12 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 10-10 FT), one rebound, five assists and one steal over 21 minutes off the bench during Tuesday's 144-139 overtime victory over the Nets.
After failing to score in double digits during his first three games with Denver, Westbrook broke out Tuesday by drawing plenty of contact and converting at the free-throw line. The 35-year-old guard averaged a career-low 11.1 points a game with the Clippers in 2023-24 and likely won't be a consistent offensive threat at this stage of his career, but he can still deliver occasional upside from the Nuggets' second unit.
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Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Will play Thursday
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Westbrook (rest) will be available for Thursday's preseason game against the Timberwolves, head coach Michael Malone told Katy Winge of Altitude Sports.
It's unclear if Westbrook will start or play off the bench, but given that almost everybody will be available for Denver, it wouldn't be surprising if the veteran point guard is part of the second unit. After all, that's the role he'll have once the 2024-25 begins for Denver against the Thunder on Oct. 24.
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Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Out Tuesday
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Westbrook (rest) will not play in Tuesday's preseason game against Oklahoma City.
Westbrook -- along with Jamal Murray (rest), Nikola Jokic (rest) and Peyton Watson (hamstring) -- will be held out of preseason action Tuesday night, according to head coach Michael Malone. Westbrook's final opportunity to suit up before the regular season begins will be Thursday evening against Minnesota.
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Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Back in lineup
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Westbrook (rest) posted nine points (3-8 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and six assists in 24 minutes off the bench during Sunday's 118-114 preseason loss to the Suns.
Westbrook missed the team's previous game for rest purposes but returned to the rotation Sunday. Westbrook will likely be a key piece coming off the bench behind Jamal Murray this season -- his first in Denver.
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Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Won't play Sunday
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Westbrook (rest) will not play in Sunday's preseason game against the Celtics in Abu Dhabi, Bennett Durando of The Denver Post reports.
After a solid all-around preseason debut with the Nuggets, Westbrook will take Sunday off. The All-Star's absence will likely allow coach Mike Malone to get a better look at Trey Alexander and Jalen Pickett. However, when the regular season begins, Westbrook is expected to be the next man up behind Jamal Murray at point guard.
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Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Solid in preseason debut
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Westbrook delivered 12 points (3-10 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 3-4 FT), four rebounds and eight assists across 19 minutes off the bench in Friday's 107-103 preseason loss to the Celtics.
The shooting line wasn't good, but Westbrook racked up stats left and right while seeing a decent amount of minutes -- compared to the starters -- in the preseason opener. The veteran is expected to open the season as Jamal Murray's primary backup and main second-unit scoring threat, but don't be surprised if he sees decent run with the first unit as well, particularly when closing out games.
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Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Headed to Denver
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The Nuggets signed Westbrook to a two-year, $6.8 million contract Friday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Westbrook was traded from the Clippers to the Jazz earlier this offseason. The veteran guard was then waived and has now joined the Nuggets after clearing waivers, as expected. In 2023-24, Westbrook averaged 11.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.1 steals in 22.5 minutes across 68 regular-season appearances. In Denver, the 35-year-old point guard will likely earn the backup point guard role to Jamal Murray.
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Russell Westbrook: Officially waived
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The Jazz waived Westbrook on Saturday, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Westbrook was sent to Utah as part of a sign-and-trade that sent Kris Dunn to the Clippers. The expectation was that the Jazz would buy Westbrook's contract out, opening the door for the veteran point guard to sign with Denver after clearing waivers. Saturday's move will officially put Westbrook on waivers, and he should be expected to sign a contract with the Nuggets next week.
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Jazz's Russell Westbrook: Dealt to Utah, to sign with Denver
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The Clippers are sending Westbrook, a second-round pick and cash to the Jazz in exchange for Kris Dunn in a sign-and-trade Thursday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports. Westbrook is expected to agree to a contract buyout with Utah, where he will ultimately land with Denver after clearing waivers.
The 35-year-old guard saw a reduced role in 2023-24, starting in just 11 of his 68 regular-season appearances and averaging 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.1 steals in 22.2 minutes. With Westbrook seemingly content with a bench role and not demanding a high salary, he could be an ideal backup point guard for a contending team such as the Nuggets.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Staying in L.A.
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Westbrook exercised his $4 million player option for the 2024-25 season Saturday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
The nine-time All-Star hasn't been a regular starter in the past two seasons, but he appears to have become comfortable in his role as a lead guard off the bench. Since he would have been unlikely to fetch much more than $4 million on the open market, Westbrook will stick around for a second full season with the Clippers, coming off a 2023-24 campaign in which he averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.1 steals across a career-low 22.5 minutes in 68 appearances. Westbrook's role could expand during the upcoming season if the Clippers aren't able to retain Paul George -- who is expected to decline his $48.79 million player option for 2024-25 and become an unrestricted free agent -- and don't replace him with another high-usage star.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Ejected in fourth quarter
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Westbrook was ejected from Saturday's 101-90 Game 3 loss to the Mavericks with 6:10 to play in the fourth quarter. He finished with one point (0-7 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT), three rebounds, one assist, one steal and two blocks in 19 minutes.
Westbrook let his frustrations get the best of him in this one. He was already carrying a technical foul when he proceeded to shove both Luka Doncic and P.J. Washington on the same play. Despite his outburst, a suspension is unlikely.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Out for regular-season finale
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Westbrook will not play in Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Rockets for rest purposes, Justin Russo of the 'Clip & Roll' podcast reports.
No surprise here, as the Clippers are resting most of their starters ahead of the playoffs next weekend. Westbrook will finish regular-season action with averages of 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.6 triples across 22.5 minutes per game.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Good to go Friday
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Westbrook (hand) will be available for Friday's game against the Jazz.
Westbrook sat out Wednesday's game against the Suns, but it was likely a precaution after he played 40 minutes the night before. Kawhi Leonard (knee) is the only regular rotation player on the injury report for Friday, and he'll remain sidelined.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Dealing with hand injury
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Westbrook is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Suns due to a left hand contusion, Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com reports.
With Kawhi Leonard (knee) and James Harden (foot) out, Westbrook moved into the starting lineup Tuesday and posted his first triple-double since Jan. 15, 2023 during a win over the Suns. Leonard, Harden and Paul George (knee) are all out Wednesday, while Ivica Zubac (ankle) joins Westbrook as questionable, so the Clippers are going to be extremely shorthanded for Wednesday's rematch versus Phoenix.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Shines in starting lineup
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Westbrook ended Tuesday's 105-92 win over the Suns with 16 points (7-17 FG, 2-4 3Pt), 15 rebounds, 15 assists and two steals over 40 minutes.
Although the Clippers were without Kawhi Leonard (knee) and James Harden (foot), the team didn't skip a beat as Westbrook turned back the clock with a sublime triple-double. The last time Westbrook reached that milestone was Jan. 15, 2023. Westbrook's superb number is a great example of the Clippers' depth when the chips are down, and the wealth of veteran experience will certainly help come playoff time.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Set to start Tuesday
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Westbrook is in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game versus the Suns, Joey Linn of SI.com reports.
Westbrook will replace James Harden (foot) in the starting five Tuesday. Westbrook has averaged 14.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.9 steals in 30.7 minutes across his previous 10 starts this season.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Posts 14 points in return
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Westbrook (hand) recorded 14 points (5-10 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 4-6 FT), seven assists and four rebounds across 18 minutes in Monday's 133-116 loss to the Pacers.
Westbrook missed the Clippers' previous 12 games due to a fractured left hand but was sharp in his return Monday, scoring at nearly a point-per-minute pace. The veteran point guard also tied for the team lead with seven dimes, despite playing under 20 minutes. Westbrook will continue to come off the bench as a second-unit spark plug now that he's health again, but he's uncertain to see a dramatic uptick in playing time when all of James Harden, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are available. For the season, Westbrook is averaging a career-low 22.6 minutes per contest.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Officially active Monday
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Westbrook (hand) has been cleared for Monday's game against Indiana, Mark Medina of NBA.com reports. He will not face a minutes restriction.
Westbrook will take the court for the first time since March 1 after suffering a fractured hand. Coach Tyronn Lue expressed his excitement to have Westbrook's energy and "pop" back in the lineup, and Westbrook has been diligently maintaining his conditioning while sidelined, Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com reports.
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Clippers' Russell Westbrook: Officially questionable
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Westbrook (hand) is questionable for Monday's game against the Pacers, Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com reports.
Westbrook is expected to make his return from a 12-game absence but likely won't be cleared until he goes through his pregame routine. If cleared, the dynamic point guard figures to play around 20 minutes off the bench. Since being moved to a reserve role in mid-November, Westbrook has averaged 10.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.0 steals in 20.9 minutes per game.
