Westbrook returns against the Kings
SACRAMENTO — For the first time in two weeks,
Russell Westbrook took the court with the Thunder on Monday.
His return sparked a mixed, although loud, reaction from the crowd at Golden 1 Center as he was announced with OKC’s starters.
Westbrook, who has been out with a left ankle sprain, was upgraded from questionable to starting after being reevaluated about an hour before game time.
Westbrook missed OKC’s 110-100 win at Phoenix on Saturday and practice the following day for the birth of his twin daughters, which he announced on social media Sunday. He rejoined the team for shootaround Monday morning.
“I’m sure anytime you’re in the middle of a season and your family’s going through that, there’s a lot on his plate,” Thunder coach Billy Donovan said. “But I’m personally very happy for him and glad everything’s worked out OK and everybody’s safe and sound and doing well.”
Last year, Paul George also experienced the balancing act that is welcoming a baby into the world mid-season, when his girlfriend Daniela Rajic gave birth to their second child.
“It’s tough, just because the season takes a toll on you of its own,” George said, “and just having a new addition and wanting to be there for your partner, and then finding time to still be locked in and still be with the team. At that point you don’t get much sleep. It’s a little tough, but it’s what we’ve got to deal with, and we wouldn’t change that for anything.”
George noted the energy boost Westbrook provided at shootaround Monday.
“It’s good, man,” George said. “It’s good to have our star, our leader back out there with us.”
But that spark didn’t translate to the court in the first half. Although Westbrook logged 12 points, three rebounds and five assists in the first half, the Thunder fell behind 69-56. As Westbrook got re-acclimated, he went 1-of-5 from the 3-point line and committed four turnovers before the intermission.
Injury update
Alex Abrines was active for Monday’s game, after missing a game and a half for flu-like symptoms. However, Nerlens Noel came down with an illness and was scratched from the Thunder’s lineup. Terrance Ferguson was still away from the team for personal reasons. He also missed Saturday’s game. Rookie Hamidou Diallo, who started at shooting guard Saturday, again replaced Ferguson in the starting lineup.