LA’s sixth man is dealing with a non-COVID-19 ailment.
Los Angeles Lakers reserve point guard Russell Westbrook, the club’s third-leading scorer this season, is questionable to suit up today against the New Orleans Pelicans due to a mysterious non-COVID-19 illness.
Is that illness real, or was he sent home by the team in anticipation of a trade? Only time can tell for sure.
Los Angeles head coach Darvin Ham provided further intel on Westbrook’s condition.
Per Jovan Buha of The Athletic, Ham indicated that Westbrook is a game-time decision to play. The 6’3″ vet woke up feeling unwell this morning, Ham relayed.
Ham added that LA’s medical team will examine Westbrook when he enters Smoothie King Center today, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
“We’re waiting to see” if he’ll be able to play for Los Angeles, Ham said.
Westbrook has been a vital cog in the Lakers’ erratic machine this season, emerging as one of the team’s most pivotal players. This season off the bench, the $47.1 million vet is averaging 15.7 points on .312/.281/.661 shooting splits, along with 7.6 assists, 6.3 rebounds and a steal.
Though Westbrook has been the subject of trade rumors all year, he has remained fairly even-keeled and productive in his new role. He may not be worth his contract, but he’s still pretty darn valuable for an LA team in desperate need of playmaking and rebounding. His absence tonight, against a very beatable Pelicans club, would be deeply felt.
