Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook has appeared in all 48 games this season. In his 17th NBA season, the nine-time All-Star has averaged 13.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.4 assists. Beginning the season as Denver’s backup point guard to Jamal Murray, Westbrook found his way into the starting lineup due to injuries, but has remained in that role even with the Nuggets fully healthy. In his 27 starts, Westbrook has averaged 14.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 7.0 assists. Denver has gone 19-8 in Westbrook’s starts this season, including Friday night’s 137-134 win over the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center.
Playing 25 minutes in the win, Westbrook left the game with 11:10 remaining in the fourth quarter. Asking to be subbed out, Westbrook limped to the locker room where he spent the remainder of the game.
After initially listing Westbrook as questionable to return with left hamstring tightness, the Nuggets eventually ruled him out for the game.
On Saturday, the Nuggets announced an unfortunate update on the 2017 MVP. Not only has Westbrook been ruled out for Denver’s contest against the Charlotte Hornets, but his hamstring soreness has been changed to a hamstring strain.
Russell Westbrook exited Friday’s game in Philadelphia with a hamstring injury,” team writer Matt Brooks wrote. “He’ll miss Saturday while recovering from the strain.” The official injury report designation for Westbrook is a left hamstring strain.
This will be the first game Westbrook has missed this season, ending his bid for 82 appearances, a feat he has achieved four times in his NBA career.
