Russell Westbrook had surgery on his fractured left hand on Monday and could return before the start of the playoffs in April, according to an ESPN report.
Westbrook, a former league MVP, fractured his non-shooting hand on Friday night when the Washington Wizards’ Jordan Poole inadvertently elbowed his hand while the Clippers guard attempted a steal.
Westbrook is expected to begin rehabilitation soon and be ready in time for the Western Conference playoffs, which will begin the weekend of April 20-21. The nine-time NBA All-Star returned in less than four weeks after fracturing his right hand in 2014 while playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
This season, Westbrook is averaging 11.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists off the bench. A starter to begin the season, he moved to a reserve role after the Clippers acquired James Harden in November.
The Clippers, who were to face the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night, went into the game with a 39-20 record and sat in fourth place in the Western Conference.
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