The Los Angeles Clippers are in the midst of a playoff push, but the team will likely have to spend the final weeks of the regular season without one of its star players.
Russell Westbrook, the 2017 NBA MVP, broke his hand during the Clippers' matchup against the Washington Wizards on Friday night.
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said it appeared Westbrook was injured after incidental contact with a Wizards player's elbow.
“I just feel bad for Russ right now,” Lue said. “You never want to see a player get injured. [Washington’s Jordan] Poole turned around and tried to deflect him from behind. I think he hit his elbow with his hand.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Russell Westbrook of the LA Clippers goes to the basket in a play during the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 2023 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. (Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
Westbrook left Friday's game in the second quarter and did not return. He finished the contest with six points. Lue said the amount of time Westbrook will miss is still unclear.
NBA SLAPS PJ TUCKER FROM CLIPPERS WITH LARGEST FINE OF THE SEASON AFTER DEMANDING A TRADE
“So, we don't know what the timeline is, we don't know if he needs surgery or anything like that yet,” Lue said. “But right now he's out. So I'm trying to figure it out.”
The Clippers sit in fourth place in the Western Conference.
Los Angeles Clippers guard Russell Westbrook backs off Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, during the second half of Game 1 of a first-round playoff series on April 16, 2023, in Phoenix , Arizona. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Ten-time NBA All-Star James Harden said the team will miss “everything he brings to the game.”
“His athleticism,” Harden explained. “The energy of him. The playmaking ability of him. The leadership of him.”
The Clippers received some positive injury news. Paul George is expected to return from a two-game absence after experiencing discomfort in his left knee.
Russell Westbrook (0) of the Los Angeles Clippers posts Saben Lee (38) of the Phoenix Suns during a game at the Footprint Center on April 9, 2023, in Phoenix, Arizona. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
“I just needed some time off,” George said. “It was a difficult stretch to enter the [All-Star] rest, coming out of rest. And then, my body just needed that rest. But tonight I felt good and I was able to come out clean.”
Westbrook entered the 2023-24 season as the starting point guard, but his role changed shortly after the team traded for Harden in October. Westbrook relinquished his spot in the starting lineup, and since that move, the Clippers have won 35 of 48 games.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Westbrook has appeared in all 58 games this season. The 35-year-old averages 11.1 points and 4.4 assists per game.
Follow Fox News Digital sports coverage in X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
