After spending over a season in the state he was raised in and played college basketball at, former LA Clipper Russell Westbrook signed with the Denver Nuggets for two years last summer. This was great for everyone involved, as the Clippers appreciated Westbrook's hard work and contributions.
Furthermore, Westbrook has had a large role on the Denver Nuggets, assigned by Michael Malone. Not only does he score, pass, and rebound, but the former MVP is constantly moving and cutting, which equates to easy finds from Nikola Jokic, an elite playmaker.
Nonetheless, Westbrook has averaged 13.4 points, 6.2 assists, and 5.1 rebounds in 70 games for the Nuggets this season. He also shoots 45.2% from the field and 33.0% from a distance, which is impressive for any player at 36.
Though the Nuggets lost Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Orlando Magic, Westbrook's dominance has helped bring Denver to the third seed.
However, the Nuggets recently played a high-stakes game with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Clippers needed the Nuggets to win, as Minnesota is a spot ahead of LA.
Unfortunately, the Timberwolves won in double-overtime, as Westbrook stamped a disappointing two-way sequence within 15 seconds.
A missed basket and a careless foul by Russell Westbrook gave Minnesota the win
The LA Clippers have only lost three games since James Harden's 50-point outburst against the Detroit Pistons, so they need the teams ahead to lose in games they are not favored.
Moreover, the current standings, where the Clippers are seventh, would be ordered differently had the Minnesota Timberwolves faced a loss to the Denver Nuggets.
In this matchup, the Nuggets did not have Jamal Murray or Michael Porter Jr., two valuable starters Nikola Jokic loves to get involved. This turn of events steered Russell Westbrook into playing 38 minutes.
However, Westbrook did not have a good game. He shot 4-11 from the field, 0-3 from three, and 4-7 from the line. He did score 12 points but also had five turnovers. Michael Malone should have used his judgment and replaced Westbrook in the clutch.
In the end, Malone left Westbrook in the game. He missed an easy layup to give Denver a three-point lead and fouled Nickeil Alexander-Walker on a three-point attempt, where he only needed to make two to win.
That said, the Clippers' ambitions of being the fifth seed have declined significantly. They will need to remain in the win column and hope Minnesota loses, which is unlikely when glancing at the end of their schedule.