Russell WestbrookIt is unlikely that Wednesday will be played against the Denver NuggetsA hamstring injury has caused the LakersTuesday. Westbrook Suffered the injury in Los Angeles’ final preseason game on Oct. 14, when he was used in a reserve role off the bench.
Westbrook has started the Lakers’ first three games — all losses — and averaged 10.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 28.7 minutes, shooting just 28.9 percent from the field. Critics have pointed to Westbrook’s offensive struggles as a main reason behind the Lakers’ season-opening skid.
Asked earlier Tuesday whether he would consider changing the team’s starting lineup against the Nuggets, coach Darvin Ham said, “Not today.”
Westbrook said after the injury that coming off the bench in the preseason game “absolutely” played a part in the hamstring injury.
“I’ve been doing the same thing for 14 years straight,” Westbrook said. “Honestly, I didn’t even know what to do pregame. To be honest, I was trying figure out how to keep warm and loose. For me, obviously, the way I play the game, it’s fast-paced, quick, stop-and-go. It was just that I experienced something when I subbed in. Thought it was … didn’t know what it was, but I wasn’t going to risk it in a preseason game. But definitely wasn’t something I was used to. Wasn’t warm enough. But that’s something I just wasn’t accustomed to.”
Get Deeper
Shams’ Inside Pass: Russell Westbrook trade options linger despite Lakers’ early failure
This story will be revised.
(Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie / USA Today)
