Houston Rockets

Russell Westbrook Blames Several Health Issues for Holding Him Back in Series vs. Lakers

Published by
Peter Dewey

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.

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.

Peter Dewey

Peter is a graduate of Quinnipiac University where he covered the MAAC and college basketball for three years. He has worked for NBC Sports, the Connecticut Sun and the Meriden Record-Journal covering basketball, football and other major sports. Follow him on Twitter @peterdewey2.

Published by
Peter Dewey

Recent Posts

Jeff Ross addresses Tom Brady apparently being offended by his Robert Kraft ‘massage’ joke

Stand-up comedian and actor Jeff Ross recently addressed a joke he made at Tom Brady's…

3 hours ago

Jimmy Butler’s agent speaks out on Pat Riley’s comments about Miami Heat star

Jimmy Butler’s agent Bernie Lee responded to Miami Heat president Pat Riley's comments about Butler…

4 hours ago

LeBron James’ former teammate wants Lakers star to retire

LeBron James' former teammate on the Cleveland Cavaliers — Kendrick Perkins — called on the…

8 hours ago

Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland offer focused messages as Cavs get set to face Celtics

In the wake of the Cleveland Cavaliers' Game 7 victory in their playoff series against…

8 hours ago

‘Thibs might hate having him’: NBA exec unsure if Paul George would fit on Knicks

In the 2023 offseason, the New York Knicks were reportedly in talks with the Los…

1 day ago

NBA exec pegs Spurs and Thunder as potential landing spots for Devin Booker

Despite fielding a star-studded roster headlined by Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, the…

1 day ago