Report: Rockets’ Westbrook expected to miss at least start of playoffs

Houston Rockets' Russell Westbrook reacts after being fouled during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kevin C. Cox/Pool Photo via AP)

Houston Rockets star Russell Westbrook is expected to minimally miss the start of Houston’s first-round playoff series with a strained right quad muscle, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Westbrook’s return to action will depend on how he responds to treatment.

Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle was first to report the news.

On Wednesday, MRI results revealed the strain. At that time, it was announced Westbrook would not play on Friday against the Philadelphia 76ers, with his status for the playoffs officially being re-evaluated at a later date.

It is not known at this time how much of the Rockets’ first-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder — his former team — Westbrook will miss. As Wojnarowski noted, the condensed playoff schedule this year — featuring games every other day on average — will mean less rest, and could complicate Westbrook’s return-to-play attempt.

The 31-year-old is averaging 27.2 points per game, 7.9 rebounds and seven assists this season overall, his first as a member of the Rockets.

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