Russell Westbrook was a game-time decision Saturday because of an ankle sprain he suffered in Game 2, but his Wizards teammates never had any doubt that he would be ready, according to Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington. Westbrook not only played, he recorded his 11th playoff triple-double, posting 26 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in a loss to the Sixers.
“I know Russ. If it’s not broke, he’s going to play,” Bradley Beal said. “So, I’m gonna be honest, I kind of knew after the last game he was going to play. Just knowing who he is, if he could play for two minutes then he was going to go out there and give it everything he had.”
Westbrook said after the game that his ankle felt “so-so” and he “just tried to go out and do what I can.” His status for Monday night’s Game 4 hasn’t been determined.
There’s more on the Wizards:
- Beal has taken a major step this season in proving he can be a franchise player, according to Kareem Copeland of The Washington Post. Beal has been moving in that direction for years, but his status became clearer with the trade of John Wall. “I take pride in getting better each and every game and, obviously, in the offseason getting better,” Beal said. “… Coach trusts me, teammates and the organization trusts me to just continue to lead and kind of be the franchise focal point. Obviously, I still have a long way to go and still have a lot of room to go. But I’m definitely not the same player I was two years ago in that series.”
- The Wizards moved Davis Bertans into the starting lineup to provide more size against a taller Philadelphia team, but his shooting woes prevented that move from being effective, notes Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Bertans is normally one of the league’s most dangerous three-point threats, but he made just one of five shots from long distance in Game 3 after missing all four attempts in Game 2.
- Sixers center Joel Embiid is putting up dominant numbers in the first-round series after being an MVP candidate during the regular season. It’s a tough matchup for Daniel Gafford, but coach Scott Brooks believes the experience will benefit the young center in the long run, Hughes tweets.
Westbrook only played to record a triple double
Are you criticizing him for playing and getting a triple double?
Good point, that’s all he does. Triple-doubles are all that matters to him. Wins mean absolutely nothing to Russ. He’s all about ego.
So the fact his teams win 75% of the games he gets a triple double in is just a pointless coincidence?
If racking up TD’s was just a matter of stealing a few rebounds a game then, believe me, at the very least LeBron would have put in the effort to avg a TD for at least season.
Love him or hate him Russ’s ability to get TD’s is a truly crazy talent.
Trading Wall for Westbrook is a success
Agreed.
It certainly was, for us. As the Wizards are on the verge of blowing up their team. If Houston keeps their top-4 pick they will be back in the playoffs.
Westbrook come to Knicks. We will give you the respect you deserve. Westbrook and a healthy Mitch. We challenge for East title. F this lets do it. Go get him Thibs.
Lol.
if he gets bought out sure
Totally agree but impossible to match salariés
Yeah just get bought out. Man we need that killer. Garden would explode … BOOM
Look how calm the Nets players were went a Celtics fan threw a bottle at them after the game. They didn’t freak out and burst into a mindless rage like Westbrick did.
Well they are pushovers, Westbrook is not. As a grown man you would allow that???
Hachimura & Avdija for Christian Wood. Who says no??? Well Wallywood may say no…