The Clippers will need to plug the Westbrook-shaped hole in their rotation. And that’s what Bones Hyland has been trying to do. He has seen an increase in playing time as the backup point guard while Westbrook recovers.

Los Angeles Clippers point guard Russell Westbrook suffered a left-hand fracture during a game against the Washington Wizards on March 1st. The injury sustained in the second quarter while defending Jordan Poole forced him to leave the game and undergo surgery. While initial reports indicated a week-to-week evaluation and potential return by the playoffs, Clippers coach Tyronn Lue recently downplayed that timeline. He stated that while Westbrook is improving after a hand surgery, there is no timetable to return.

Before Coach Ty Lue’s statement came along, on March 8, Adrian Wojnarowski reported during a recent ESPN segment, “There’s an expectation that he can be back with this team before the playoffs… For this Clippers team, certainly they are comforted with the idea that they will have Russell Westbrook back for the playoffs.”

As per the information available, his return time is expected to be anywhere between six to 14 weeks. If this happens, the player would return for the last five regular-season games. Even Paul George spoke about Westbrook on ‘Podcast P’ recently and said, “He doing good. I checked up on him yesterday actually and spirits are high… He’s superhuman, bro. No telling he’ll probably be back… I know we talked when Zu was here like we never see him hurt. He’s the most durable person… It’s probably good that he’s taking this little time away… I think Bones has been playing well in replacement… He’s so quick and shifty and just got a different cadence to him. Bones is fun to watch!”

Westbrook’s arrival in Los Angeles as a starter after a challenging stint with the Lakers seemed promising for the Clippers. However, the team, including Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and the newly acquired James Harden, struggled to find chemistry. After a soul-crushing losing streak, a re-evaluation of roles was undertaken. How did that turn out?

Russell Westbrook lights a fire off the bench

Westbrook took one for the team and volunteered to come off the bench. This gamble paid off. While his scoring average dipped to 11.1 points per game in 22.6 minutes, his impact on the team went beyond the stat sheet. He injected energy into the second unit, pushing the pace and attacking the rim. Notably, the starting lineup thrived with this change, with a +12.6 net rating.

The Clippers cruised to a 35-13 record with Westbrook as their secret weapon and their championship dreams shining brighter than ever. Sadly, his recent injury disrupted their momentum. They managed a 1-1 record initially, however, they now sit at 42-24, 4th in the West.

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James Harden stated that the team will miss “everything he brings to the game” while Westbrook recovers. Bones Hyland, who hasn’t played significant minutes since January, has stepped up in Westbrook’s absence. While his shooting needs improvement (35.1% FG, 30% 3PT), Hyland has been stepping up as the backup point guard until Westbrook returns.

So, how soon will fans see Westbrook while the LA Clippers battle it out in the playoffs or will Hyland fill the Westbrook-shaped hole in the playoffs? Stay tuned to find out more!

Anchored by $106.88 Billion Company, Russell Westbrook Takes On Whopping Mission for LA Community