11d | RotoWire
News
The Rockets acquired Westbrook (finger) from the Thunder on Thursday in exchange for Chris Paul, two protected first-round picks in 2024 and 2026 and pick swaps in 2021 and 2025, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Impact
In yet another blockbuster offseason move, Westbrook's wish of reuniting with James Harden will be granted, as the star point guard will move on to Houston less than a week after co-star Paul George was dealt to the Clippers. While slotting alongside perhaps the NBA's most dynamic offensive player, Westbrook will almost certainly have to sacrifice some usage, which could make it difficult for him to average a triple-double for a fourth consecutive season. After inking a five-year, $205 million contract extension with Oklahoma City in September 2017, Westbrook will be on the books for Houston through the 2022-23 campaign, when the point guard will hold a $47.06 million player option.
16d | RotoWire
News
Westbrook (finger/knee) and his agent are engaged with Thunder general manager Sam Presti on "next steps," including the possibility of trading Westbrook, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Impact
With the Thunder dealing Paul George to the Clippers for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari and a haul of draft picks, the possibility of OKC entering a rebuild is on the table. Considering Westbrook is turning 31 years old next season and likely has little interest in participating in a tear-down, the two sides may work together to find a new home. A barrier to moving Westbrook is his enormous contract, which includes a $46.7 million player option in 2022-23.
76d | RotoWire
News
Westbrook underwent a procedure Tuesday to address a torn ligament in a finger on his left hand, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports. He also had a minor, "proactive maintenance" procedure on his right knee.
Impact
While the Thunder also announced Tuesday that Paul George will face a lengthy recovery after shoulder surgery, the outlook is more encouraging for Westbrook, who is still planning a summer of "aggressive preparation," despite the pair of relatively minor surgeries. Westbrook was dealing with the finger injury to his non-shooting hand for the final six weeks of the season, and while he underwent treatment and taped the finger, the ligament issue was never publicly revealed. AS for the knee procedure, it looks to be simply a precautionary measure, and Westbrook's availability for training camp in the fall is not in any jeopardy.
89d | RotoWire
News
Westbrook delivered 29 points (11-31 FG, 4-11 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 14 assists, 11 rebounds, four steals and two blocks across 45 minutes during the Thunder's 118-115 loss to the Trail Blazers in Game 5 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series Tuesday.
Impact
Westbrook's spectacular exploits weren't enough in the series-ending loss, as the Trail Blazers' Damian Lillard broke the Thunder's heart with a buzzer-beating three-pointer to send OKC home. Westbrook did manage to bounce back to an extent from an atrocious shooting night in Game 4, one in which he'd drained just five of 21 shots. The triple-double was the second of the series for the perennial All-Star, and it marked the 10th time in the postseason that he's accomplished the feat. With another first-round playoff exit, Westbrook and the Thunder will look to regroup this offseason.
91d | RotoWire
News
Westbrook finished with 14 points (5-21 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 2-4 FT), nine rebounds and seven assists in 40 minutes Sunday in the Thunder's 111-98 loss to the Trail Blazers in Game 4.
Impact
Westbrook endured his second brutal shooting game of the series, with the Thunder suffering double-digit losses in both of those contests. The Thunder were regularly able to overcome Westbrook's wayward shooting during the regular season, but his inefficiency has loomed larger through the first four games of the playoffs with co-star Paul George converting at only a 36.3 percent clip from the field so far this series. Westbrook, George and the Thunder will need to steal a win on the road in Game 5 on Tuesday to keep their playoff hopes alive.
94d | RotoWire
News
Westbrook registered 33 points (11-22 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 7-8 FT), 11 assists, five rebounds and one block across 38 minutes during the Thunder's 120-108 win over the Trail Blazers in Game 3 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series Friday.
Impact
After a forgettable Game 2 performance that Westbrook himself termed unacceptable, the perennial All-Star bounced back in fine fashion Friday. Westbrook's scoring total was a series high, while his assists tied his series-best Game 2 tally in that department. The veteran point guard now has two strong shooting performances over the first three games of the series, and he'll look to stay hot in Sunday's Game 4 as OKC looks to even the series at 2-2.
97d | RotoWire
News
Westbrook amassed 14 points (5-20 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 11 assists, nine rebounds, and one steal in 37 minutes during Tuesday's 114-94 loss to the Trail Blazers.
Impact
The Thunder fell away late, eventually falling to the Trail Blazers by 20 points in Game 2 of their best of seven series. Westbrook struggled from the field, ending just 5-of-20 including 1-of-6 from beyond the arc. He is now a combined 1-of-10 from the perimeter and will certainly need to improve if the Thunder are to make this a competitive series moving forward. Game 3 is on Friday in Oklahoma City which should certainly work in the favor of Westbrook and the rest of his underperforming teammates.
98d | RotoWire
News
Westbrook went through a full practice Monday, Erik Horne of The Oklahoman reports.
Impact
Westbrook wasn't listed on the initial injury report, though he did appear to tweak his ankle during Sunday's Game 1 loss to Portland. At this juncture, there's little reason to believe Westbrook will face any limitations when the Thunder look to even the series Tuesday night in Portland.
99d | RotoWire
News
Westbrook racked up 24 points (8-17 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 8-8 FT), 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in 38 minutes during Sunday's 104-99 Game 1 loss to the Trail Blazers.
Impact
Westbrook couldn't buy a bucket from beyond the arc but still put forth a fairly efficient scoring performance while making his usual contributions in the rebounding and assist departments. The triple-double machine will more than likely remain in attack mode as he tries to help his team even the series in Tuesday's Game 2.
103d | RotoWire
News
Westbrook scored 15 points (7-10 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 0-2 FT) while adding 17 assists, 11 rebounds, a steal and a block in 36 minutes during Wednesday's 127-116 win over the Bucks.
Impact
OKC had more to play for than Milwaukee in this one, and as a result Westbrook racked up his third straight triple-double and 34th of the season. The 30-year-old averaged a triple-double for the third straight season -- one of the greatest feats in NBA history -- and tied Lakers great Magic Johnson for the second-most in league history. Westbrook will get a few days to prepare for a clash with James Harden and the Rockets in the marquee matchup of the first round of the playoffs.
2008: R1 4th
