Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: No timetable for return
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Nuggets head coach Mike Malone said Monday that Westbrook is without a timeline to return to action while he recovers from a left hamstring strain, Vinny Benedetto of The Denver Gazette reports.
Westbrook suffered the injury in Friday's win over the 76ers and will miss a second straight game Monday versus the Pelicans. Given Malone's comments, Westbrook appears likely to remain out through the All-Star break. Christian Braun will likely remain in the Nuggets' starting lineup while Westbrook works on his rehab and recovery, and Jalen Pickett could enter the rotation as Jamal Murray's top backup at point guard.
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Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Remaining out Monday
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Westbrook (hamstring) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Pelicans, Vinny Benedetto of The Denver Gazette reports.
Westbrook will miss a second straight game Monday due to a left hamstring strain that he suffered against the 76ers on Friday. Christian Braun was inserted into the Nuggets' starting lineup against the Hornets on Saturday, and he will likely remain in the starting five Monday due to Westbrook's injury.
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Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Won't play against Charlotte
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Westbrook (hamstring) is out for Saturday's game versus the Hornets.
Westbrook will miss Saturday's contest after suffering a left hamstring strain against Philadelphia on Friday. Jalen Pickett, Trey Alexander and Julian Strawther are candidates to receive increased playing time in his absence. Westbrook's next chance to suit up is Monday's matchup with New Orleans.
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Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Hurts hamstring Friday
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Westbrook has been ruled out for the rest of Friday's game against the 76ers with left hamstring tightness, Katy Winge of Altitude Sports reports.
Westbrook recorded four points (2-3 FG, 0-1 3Pt), seven assists and two steals and committed six turnovers in 25 minutes before checking out of the game for good with 11:10 remaining in the fourth quarter. He'll presumably undergo further testing as the Nuggets look to determine the extent of the injury, but for the moment, Westbrook's availability for Saturday's game in Charlotte would appear to be in jeopardy.
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Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Double-doubles with 14 rebounds
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Westbrook supplied 14 points (5-11 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 4-6 FT), 14 rebounds, four assists and one block over 37 minutes during Wednesday's 122-112 loss to the Knicks.
Westbrook led the Nuggets in rebounding with 14 boards on a night where Nikola Jokic got into foul trouble during the first half. It's also worth noting the veteran guard was able to hold onto his spot in Denver's starting lineup in favor of Christian Braun, despite Aaron Gordon returning to the first unit Wednesday. Westbrook has averaged 13.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.0 three-pointers in 29.7 minutes over his last seven games, and he should maintain enhanced fantasy value in points leagues as long as he stays with the first five.
Westbrook provided 11 points (4-5 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, nine assists and one steal in 25 minutes during Tuesday's 144-109 win over the 76ers.
Westbrook has failed to score more than 12 points in four of his last five appearances, but the lack of touches on offense seems to be by design, as he's shooting 47.8 percent from the floor and 52.9 percent from three in that span. He seems to be comfortable in a secondary role on offense, though, as he's averaging 12.0 points, 5.4 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 0.8 steals per game during that five-game stretch.
Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Struggles from field Tuesday
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Westbrook amassed nine points (3-11 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six rebounds, three assists, one block and two steals across 26 minutes during Tuesday's 118-99 win over the Mavericks.
Westbrook had been on a tear in recent weeks, but he didn't have his best shooting line Tuesday and failed to reach double-digit points for the first time since Jan. 4, when he also had nine points in a loss to the Spurs. Westbrook is averaging 15.4 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game over his last 11 appearances as a starter, but it wouldn't be surprising if he moves back to a bench role now that Aaron Gordon (calf) is back in the rotation.
Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Close to another triple-double
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Westbrook ended Sunday's 112-101 win over the Mavericks with 21 points (10-17 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-3 FT), 10 rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and one steal across 34 minutes.
Westbrook finished just three assists away from recording what would've been his second consecutive triple-double. The veteran floor general has been thriving in a starting role, averaging 16.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 8.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game across his last 10 starts. However, with Aaron Gordon (calf) back in action, Westbrook's role may fluctuate more than it has over the last couple of weeks.
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Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Sticking in starting lineup
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Westbrook will start Sunday's game against the Mavericks.
Aaron Gordon (calf) is cleared to return following a nine-game absence, but he'll be limited, allowing Westbrook to stay in the starting lineup. The veteran guard thrived when Gordon was sidelined, averaging 15.4 points, 8.2 assists, 7.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 31.7 minutes per game. Even when Gordon is back to full speed and presumably takes back a spot in the starting five, Westbrook should remain a key part of Denver's rotation.
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Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Notches triple-double in win
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Westbrook closed Friday's 124-105 win over the Nets with 25 points (8-17 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 7-9 FT), 11 rebounds, 10 assists, one block and one steal in 36 minutes.
Westbrook is the NBA's all-time leader in triple-doubles, and Friday he joined Nikola Jokic in a triple-double party. Friday marked Westbrook's 203rd triple-double, and a premature exit from Jamal Murray (knee) likely helped him reach the milestone. Aaron Gordon's (calf) extended absence has placed Westbrook center stage due to the first-unit shift that accommodates the absence. He's responding with quality numbers and is a nightly triple-double threat.
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Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Stuffs stat sheet Wednesday
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Westbrook produced 19 points (8-16 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 2-5 FT), six rebounds and eight assists across 29 minutes during Wednesday's 126-103 win over the Clippers.
Jamal Murray led the way for the Nuggets on offense, but the impact Westbrook has been creating in a starting role can't be overlooked. The veteran guard has scored in double digits in four of his last six games, but even in games where that hasn't been the case, he's also putting up solid numbers in other categories. Through that six-game stretch, Westbrook is averaging 15.8 points, 8.2 assists and 7.2 rebounds.
Westbrook amassed 26 points (9-18 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 4-5 FT), nine rebounds, six assists, one block and one steal across 33 minutes during Tuesday's 118-106 loss to the Celtics.
Westbrook has been a mainstay in the starting lineup during Aaron Gordon's (calf) absence, and the results have been generally positive. The team was 4-2 in the scenario prior to Tuesday's loss, and Nikola Jokic's (illness) absence was partially responsible for Tuesday's defeat. Although Westbrook's best games are behind him, he still can generate excellent multi-category contributions and holds legitimate fantasy value despite his usual role with the second unit.
Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Outstanding efficiency Monday
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Westbrook closed Monday's 132-121 victory over Utah with 16 points (7-7 FG, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds, 10 assists and four steals in 33 minutes.
Posting a triple-double is an impressive feat in its own right, but Westbrook also did it by going perfect from the field. As if that wasn't enough, he also made his presence felt on the defensive end with four steals, marking the 16th time this season in which he recorded two or more swipes. Even though Westbrook has mostly played off the bench, he's been very productive when handed a starting role. He's averaging 13.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 8.4 assists and 2.5 steals per contest across 10 starts so far.
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Nuggets' Russell Westbrook: Starting sans Gordon vs. Cleveland
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Westbrook is in the Nuggets' starting lineup for Friday's game against the Cavaliers.
Westbrook will make his eighth start of the season Friday (and his fifth over the Nuggets' last nine games) due to Aaron Gordon being sidelined with a calf strain. Over his last five games, Westbrook has averaged 17.2 points on 57.1 percent shooting, 6.2 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 2.0 steals over 31.2 minutes per game.
