Russell Westbrook Reportedly Underwent Surgery Monday

05/03/2024 02:00

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 22: Russell Westbrook #0 of the LA Clippers reacts as he waits for the start of play during a 112-100 loss to the Phoenix Suns during Game Four of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.

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Los Angeles Clippers guard Russell Westbrook suffered a fractured left hand during Friday night's game against the Washington Wizards.

The injury is expected to keep the veteran guard out for an extended period of time, and Westbrook had surgery on Monday to repair the fracture, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Wojnarowski added that the "hope is that [Westbrook] will return before the start of the playoffs."

"Just feel bad for Russ right now," Clippers head coach Ty Lue said Friday night, via ESPN. "You never want to see a player get hurt. [Jordan] Poole drove around, and he tried to deflect it from the back. I think he hit his elbow with his hand."

Westbrook, who had scored six points in 10 minutes before getting hurt, is in the middle of a resurgent season. The 35-year-old point guard has been one of the top reserves in the NBA this year, averaging 11.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game.

A nine-time All-Star, Westbrook could be a valuable piece for the Clippers in the playoffs, provided he's able to make it back in time.

Currently, Los Angeles is 39-20 overall and in fourth place in the Western Conference. The Clippers are only two games behind the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets, who are tied for second place, and 2.5 games back of the Oklahoma City Thunder, the West's No. 1 seed at the moment.