Following a disappointing exit from the 2020 NBA Playoffs, Houston Rockets star guard Russell Westbrook explained how getting COVID-19 held him back in the NBA’s restart.
Westbrook broke down why it was hard for him to get into a rhythm while recovering.
Rockets’ Russell Westbrook on his quad: “It wasn’t 100%. I’m not the guy to make excuses. It’s very frustrating. Catching COVID, I had to sit back 21 days without working out… The postseason is when you elevate your game. I was just trying to catch a rhythm.” pic.twitter.com/FkGcoICWTe
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) September 13, 2020
Westbrook, 31, struggled in his first postseason with the Rockets. Houston was eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night.
In the Rockets’ 119-96 loss on Saturday, Westbrook scored just 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting.
After missing Houston’s first four games of its first-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Westbrook returned to finish the series but was not particularly efficient.
He shot just 20-for-48 from the field in the series.
Houston won Game 1 against Los Angeles, but it struggled to compete over the next four games. The Lakers’ size certainly was a factor, but Westbrook, who is supposed to be James Harden’s costar, shot just 39-for-92 in the series.
The Rockets certainly hope that Westbrook can be back at full health for next season, whenever it may start.
