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LOS ANGELES - After fracturing his left hand, nine-time NBA All-Star Russell Westbrook is expected to return to the Los Angeles Clippers lineup within the coming days, ESPN reported.
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ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski was the first to report the news on X (formerly known as Twitter.)
Westbrook’s return comes as perfect timing in the weeks ahead of the NBA playoffs. While the Clippers currently hold fourth place in the Western Conference, but they have looked sluggish lately and are certainly missing Westbrook’s energy and skills on both ends of the floor coming off the bench.
The Clippers suffered another brutal loss Sunday in a matinee matchup against the Sixers. Even with Norman Powell's return, the Sixers' bench outscored them 47-38.
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Russell Westbrook gave up his starting role to help the Clippers shortly after the blockbuster James Harden trade. It’s a move that has helped catapult the Clippers. Now, he also has a strong case for the league's Sixth Man of the Year Award.
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The Clippers went into the All-Star break as one of the hottest teams in the league and, according to Paul George, have been struggling to find their identity since coming back. George made those statements following an embarrassing loss against Atlanta without Trae Young.
The Clippers are now 8-9 since the All-Star game.
On Monday, the Clippers face the Indiana Pacers, who are also playing the second game of a back-to-back.