Clippers Notes: Westbrook, George, Harden, Tucker

Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue confirmed a report that Russell Westbrook is close to returning from a fractured left hand, writes Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times. Westbrook has been out of action since suffering the injury on March 1, but a source tells Turner that he could be back on the court for Monday’s game against Indiana. If he’s not ready by then, he’ll likely return Wednesday at Philadelphia or Friday at Orlando.

Lue didn’t confirm a specific timeline, but he told reporters, “Russ is doing well. He’ll play sometime next week.”

The Clippers have posted a 6-5 record since losing Westbrook, who is averaging 11.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 58 games, mostly in a reserve role. James Harden said the team will benefit from Westbrook’s “veteran leadership, which helps us on the court. Also, he’s on the same mission we’re on, I mean, that’s to win a championship. So, glad to have him back.”

There’s more on the Clippers:

• L.A. is locked in a tight race with New Orleans for fourth place in the West and home court advantage in the opening round of the playoffs. However, Paul George tells Turner that the players aren’t too focused on how the Pelicans are doing. “We’re not looking at them,” he said. “I mean, it’s more so about us. We got to play well and not worry about, ‘We’re in the driver’s seat.’” 
• George has reached the 20-point mark in nine straight games, and more importantly, he’s fully healthy with the playoffs approaching, per Law Murray of The Athletic. “My body’s just been feeling great, which is allowing me to be aggressive and take the bumps and live in the paint,” George said. “So a lot of that has to do with just, you know, this time of the year. Feeling good, body starting to come together, and just conditioning. So that part feels good, but that’s just the emphasis period. Trying to find success in the paint, getting easy ones at the basket. And that point, jump shots start falling.”
• Harden got a lot of reaction to his recent attempt to block a shot by teammate Kawhi Leonard (video link), and he believes it was necessary to inject some levity into the locker room, Murray states in a separate story. “Got to bring some excitement to the team, you know what I mean?” Harden said. “I think these last few weeks has been a fog for us. And I think every team goes through it. So I think just me just trying to create a good energy, a good vibe for this team. Maybe it would have been better if he made the shot, but it gives (us) something to laugh about … some excitement for us.”
• P.J. Tucker had to leave Friday’s game with soreness in his right calf, tweets Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN. He’s listed as questionable for Sunday’s contest against Philadelphia, the team he began the season with.