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

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”.

Story filed to ESPN: The Houston Rockets held an instrasquad scrimmage Thursday to get All-Star guard Russell Westbrook his first full-speed 5-on-5 action since he was diagnosed with a strained right quadriceps, sources told @wojespn
and I. Source: “Looked as explosive as ever.”

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) August 28, 2020

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.

Russell Westbrook will play in Game 5 on Saturday, according to multiple sources. Westbrook was ready and would have played in the originally scheduled game on Wednesday, prior to the walkout.

— Kelly Iko (@KellyIkoNBA) August 28, 2020

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.