Houston Rockets star Russell Westbrook played during the team’s 128-114 loss to the San Antonio Spurs with his right pinky wrapped. Head coach Mike D’Antoni shared the point guard is currently dealing with a couple of dislocated fingers, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPN.
Mike D’Antoni said Russell Westbrook has a couple of dislocated fingers. Russ, who had his right pinky wrapped: “It’s all right. I learned a long time ago when I first got in the league, point guard fingers are always going to be f—ed up. That’s just what it is.”
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) October 17, 2019
It is unknown if Westbrook was hindered by having to wrap his hand. It is a possibility given how he struggled to be effective with the basketball in his hands.
Westbrook ended his performance with only 14 points while shooting 5-of-13 (38.5 percent) from the field and 1-of-4 (25 percent) from beyond the arc. To make matters worse, he had 8 turnovers and that was double the amount of assists that he produced.
Russell Westbrook vs Spurs
14 PTS
5-13 FG
1-4 3PT
4 REB
4 AST
8 TO
5 PF
-26pic.twitter.com/rSyDwTcv3T— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) October 17, 2019
The Rockets are going to need Westbrook to perform at a higher level than he has throughout preseason when the regular season begins. D’Antoni believes that the point guard ‘sets the tone of the speed of the team’ and Westbrook will be no exception. With that level of responsibility, strong execution needs to follow.
“I’ve always believed that the point guard sets the tone of the speed of the team. Everybody plays to the point guard’s rhythm of the game,” D’Antoni said, via Alykhan Bijani of The Athletic. “Certain rhythm when Steve Nash was running. Certain rhythm when James Harden is running. Certain rhythm when Chris (Paul) was running.”
“So now we’ve got Russ, and the rest will adapt to what Russ does. And if they want the ball and get involved, they’ll run. His force will ensure that.”
Both sides are still adjusting to each other’s style of play. While it’s just preseason, the early results are an indicator that it may take some time before things start to click for the Rockets.
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