Will Russell Westbrook play Game 5 vs Thunder? Rockets handed massive boost in playoff series

Samir Mehdi | 28/08/2020
Will Russell Westbrook play Game 5 vs Thunder

Russell Westbrook is set to make his debut in the 2020 NBA Playoffs in Game 5 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, per The Athletic’s Kelly Iko.

The Houston Rockets’s guard had strained his right quadriceps a week before the NBA Playoffs began and had been ruled out for the first 4 games of Houston’s first round matchup against OKC.

2 hours ago, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reports that Russell Westbrook did in fact take part in a 5 on 5 scrimmage during Houston’s practice. Source told MacMahon, “He looked as explosive as ever”.

Russell Westbrook’s return to the Rockets’s starting lineup

Moments ago, The Athletic’s Kelly Iko reported the 31 year old point guard is cleared for NBA action and will play in Game 5 which is scheduled to take place on Saturday.

What this means for the Houston Rockets?

Rockets fans can rest easy tonight as their star point guard is back in action in this nail-biter of a series. The series is tied 2-2 against the Chris Paul led, Oklahoma City Thunder.

Also Read: Russell Westbrook and Steven Adams involved in trash talk during Game 4 of Rockets vs Thunder

The Rockets have been an outstanding team with Russell Westbrook on the floor along with James Harden. Russell Westbrook leads his team in fast break points, and his presence alone is enough to make the Rockets one of the most fast paced offenses within the league.

The 9x All Star has also been able to carry the offensive load when Harden takes a breather on the bench.

Westbrook has averaged 27.2 points, 7.0 assists, and 7.9 rebounds, in the 2019-20 season for the Houston Rockets.

Post Edited By: Utkarsh Bhatla
James Harden rockets Russell Westbrook

About the author

Avatar photo

Samir Mehdi

Samir Mehdi is a senior strategist for the NBA division at The Sportsrush. Ever since he was 13 years old, he’s been obsessed with the game of basketball. From watching Kobe Bryant’s highlights on YouTube to now, analyzing and breaking down every single game on League Pass, Samir’s passion for the game is unwavering. He's a complete basketball junkie who not only breaks down current games but also keenly watches ones from the 60s’ and 70s’ while also reading comprehensive books on the history of the league. Samir’s life revolves around basketball and he hopes that shows in his work. Aside from work, he loves to spend time in the gym and with his friends at social gatherings.

Don’t miss these