The Rockets expect Russell Westbrook – who was diagnosed on Wednesday with a strained right quad – to miss at least “the first few games” of their first-round playoff series, reports Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle.
So far, the team has offered few concrete updates on Westbrook, only indicating that it will reevaluate his quad injury before the postseason begins next week. However, a source with knowledge of the Rockets’ thinking told Feigen on Thursday that the All-Star guard will at least miss the start of the playoffs and could be out longer than that.
It’s bad news for the Rockets, who are locked into a first-round matchup against Westbrook’s old team, the Thunder. The series promised a fascinating backcourt duel, with Westbrook, James Harden, and Eric Gordon going up against the Oklahoma City trio of Chris Paul, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Dennis Schröder.
However, it sounds like Houston will have to make do without Westbrook for at least the first couple games of that series, forcing Harden, Gordon, and backup guards Austin Rivers and Ben McLemore to take on increased responsibilities.
Westbrook’s return timeline will depend on how he responds to treatment, tweets ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Hopefully, by the time the Rockets/Thunder series gets underway next Monday or Tuesday, we’ll have a better sense of when the former MVP might be able to return to the lineup.
I think Westbrook was injured His quad in August 4 but coach played him on August 10
It supposed to be 10 days rest not 6 days
Needs a source, even yourself on viewing on Aug4, otherwise just another silly Sillivan, this time with a personal allegation vs Dantoni.
Waiting on Harden Westbrook MVP to comment on here
20 years old kids Dort and Bazley will now slow Harden
Adams vs Tucker
Covington vs Gallo
Didn’t Dort suffer a knee injury himself?
Harden will be guarding one of the two bigs, so either Tucker or Covington will be guarding SGA or Schroder. Gordon will slide into Westbrook’s spot while they still have a very solid bench with Jeff Green, Rivers, and Ben McLemore.
They might have a solid bench, but without Westbrook, they don’t have a very solid starting 5.
No? People always overlook both Tucker and Covington, who just happen to be among the top defenders in the entire NBA. Plus Danuel House is also very underrated, and everyone wrote off Gordon because of his poor numbers early in the season. But the time off has helped him a lot and he looked great in game one starting in place of Westbrook.
I know the skill set of the other four starters.
OKC knocking them out is gonna be so ironic.
Yessssss
Lets see what regular season Harden can do in the PO this time
Houston better hope it’s only for a couple of games. That trio of Shai, Paul, and Schroeder could rack up points very quickly without Westbrook’s perimeter defense
Rockets are expected to run their offense through the first round of the playoffs using the EASTBROOK methodology.
If the Rockets get knocked out in the first round by the guy they traded away when do they move on from Harden?
I think undrafted rookie Lu Dort is a solid defender and he can slow Harden
Offensive foul on Harden 灬
Harden is a stats guy. Haven’t you figured that out yet. No Westbrook no wins. Rockets better pray it’s only 2-3 gms. I always believed this was their worst 1 st rd matchup. Without Westbrook no way they win. Remember there is no hm court here. This could be over in 5. CP3 will play like a Finals. Cause he ain’t never going to one. We will all see what a true PG really means to a team.
Rockets – 1
Thunder – 0