NBA: Lakers’ Russell Westbrook expected to play in opener vs Warriors
Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots baskets before a preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at T-Mobile Arena on October 06, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Timberwolves defeated the Lakers 114-99. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP
Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook is expected to play in the NBA season opener on Tuesday against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center in San Francisco.
Westbrook, 33, has been day-to-day with a sore left hamstring
He left Friday’s preseason finale at Sacramento in the first quarter with the injury and is expected to be ready to take the court against the defending champions.
Westbrook, a former MVP and nine-time All-Star, came off the bench Friday for the first time since his rookie season in what new Lakers head coach Darvin Ham called a “realignment” of roles.
Westbrook entered the contest with 7:30 left in the first quarter and departed some five minutes later. He missed two 3-pointers and finished with two turnovers.
In 14 NBA seasons, Westbrook has averaged 22.8 points, 8.4 assists and 7.4 rebounds in just under 35 minutes per game.
He has averaged a triple-double in points, assists and rebounds four times in his career.
