Russell Westbrook is uncertain to play for the Lakers on Wednesday in Denver due to a sore hamstring because the workforce tries to snap a three-game dropping streak to begin the season.
He attended apply Tuesday in El Segundo however didn’t take part and traveled to Denver with the workforce.
Westbrook has been in the course of practically each main Lakers storyline because the finish of final season, starting with commerce discussions this offseason and an eventful begin to this season.
The Lakers introduced Westbrook off the bench of their ultimate preseason recreation, however he injured a hamstring after 5 minutes. After which, following the season opener, Westbrook stated he “completely” thought coming off the bench contributed to his harm.
He’s struggled badly taking pictures within the final two video games, making solely 4 of 26 pictures whereas lacking a late jumper towards Portland that allowed Damian Lillard to make the game-winner.
Westbrook has been the topic of criticism and rumor with out letup.
“Individuals are forgetting who Russ is. … We noticed it final 12 months as effectively,” teammate Anthony Davis stated. “I can’t think about how powerful it's for him. It’s one thing you guys should ask him. However simply as a workforce, as a corporation, we’re simply attempting to be there for him and simply maintain supporting him and be sure that he doesn’t get caught up in it. ‘Trigger that’s when issues can go dangerous for him.
“We wish to be sure that he’s constantly in a fantastic area. He was all smiles immediately, which is an effective factor. We wish to be sure that regardless of he is aware of we’re on his facet and now we have his again.”
Coach Darvin Ham stated he had not thought of making a change to the beginning lineup.
“Not immediately,” he stated.
By three video games, the starters have scored 75 factors per 100 possessions. That's 15 factors per 100 possessions worse than another lineup that’s performed not less than three video games collectively this season.
The group is, nonetheless, the top-rated protection amongst five-man lineups which have performed 30 or extra minutes.
“I simply assume our dedication to protection — that’s the most important factor,” Ham stated. “That’s the best way you lay a brand new basis. The success that’s been had right here, particularly in recent times, they’ve been good defensively. And I be ok with the place we're and the way we’re trending in that division.
“Photographs are ultimately going to fall. Offense will certainly catch as much as our protection. However we are able to’t cease competing, we are able to’t cease defending.”
The Lakers are on a two-game journey with stops in Denver and Minnesota as a part of a troublesome opening month.
Within the final two video games, groups defended Westbrook within the fourth quarter with their facilities, daring the Lakers to win from the perimeter, the place they're by far the worst-shooting workforce within the NBA thus far.
“At this level, it’s simply concentrating and knocking them down,” Davis stated. “The factor is now groups are going to begin making us beat them from the surface. We’ve acquired to do exactly that.”
If Westbrook is unable to play, Austin Reaves, Kendrick Nunn, Juan Toscano-Anderson or Troy Brown Jr. may begin.
Brown, who debuted for the Lakers on Sunday after coping with a herniated disk in his again, impressed Ham.
“He regarded nice,” Ham stated. “He got here in, gave us some nice minutes and I look ahead to him being a giant a part of our rotation.”
UP NEXT
AT DENVER
When: 7 p.m. PST Wednesday
On the air: TV: ESPN, Spectrum SN; Radio: 710, 1330
Replace: The Nuggets (2-2) have performed three of their video games on the highway this season, together with a 135-110 loss to Portland on Monday night time. Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic was in foul bother all through that loss, trying solely 4 pictures and three free throws but practically had a triple-double with 9 factors, 9 rebounds and 9 assists.
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