Report : Los Angeles Clippers' Russell Westbrook is set to return to the floor against the Indiana Pacers

Following a 12-game absence due to a fractured left hand, LA Clippers guard Russell Westbrook is slated to make his return against the Indiana Pacers on Monday. Westbrook's comeback coincides with exactly three weeks since his hand surgery, with ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski initially hinting at the possibility of his return on Monday.

During Westbrook's time on the sidelines, the Clippers posted a 6-6 record, managing to secure a victory against only one team with a winning record—a narrow 89-88 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. While some of the team's struggles existed prior to Westbrook's injury, his absence exacerbated many of their challenges.

With just 12 games remaining in the regular season, the Clippers are striving to regain momentum ahead of the playoffs and maintain home-court advantage in the first round. Following their recent loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, the Clippers' lead over the 5th-seeded New Orleans Pelicans has dwindled to just a half-game, with LA lacking the tiebreaker against New Orleans.

Westbrook's return is expected to inject energy into the Clippers' gameplay, enhancing their pace, defensive capabilities, rebounding, and more—areas that have noticeably suffered in his absence. When asked about Westbrook's absence, Clippers star Kawhi Leonard remarked, "He's another guy that comes in with energy, giving us a fast pace Another defender, another scorer. We definitely miss him."


Just three weeks after undergoing hand surgery, Westbrook will rejoin the Clippers' lineup on Monday.

The NBA Hall of Famer shared his thoughts on Russ.

According to NBA players, Russell Westbrook is highly esteemed within the league, earning admiration from both current players and NBA legends alike, such as Shaquille O'Neal. On an episode of The Big Podcast with Shaq, the NBA legend expressed his support for Westbrook, expressing his desire to see the guard secure a championship victory.


It's rather ironic that Shaq, who often critiques players' legacies for not clinching an NBA Championship, finds himself in a similar position. He frequently jests with Charles Barkley about his own lack of a ring, and mocks others for lacking what he terms a "G-14 Classification."

Nevertheless, there's a grain of truth in both perspectives. For many NBA players, winning is the ultimate goal. They enter the game to compete at the highest level and vie for an NBA Championship. Many would willingly trade their individual accolades for a shot at championship glory, even if it meant taking on a role as mundane as a bus driver.

With luck, the LA Clippers can finally offer Paul George, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook the opportunity to pursue that elusive dream.

Source Sport Illustrated : Russell Westbrook to Make Injury Return vs. Indiana Pacers
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