Despite a terrible night of shooting, Russell Westbrook made his hustle and all-around wonder felt about the Los Angeles Clippers’ 115-110 Game 1 run over the Phoenix Suns in their 2023 first-round opener on Sunday.
The former All-Star guard knocked out the most shots against the Suns, going 3-for-19 in a total of 9 rough marks. However, Clips ensured to create more ways to contribute, finishing with 10 rebounds, eight assists, three blocks, and two steals.
Of his overall baseline, Westbrook said: for every Associated Press’ David Brandt. “Whatever is required of me to win the match, I will do.”
Westbrook also went big in the time of the crunch, getting a big defensive play by blocking Devin Booker and hitting the ball back to him to give Los Angeles the late momentum to win the ball game.
“Making winning plays, getting deflections on balls, rebounding offensively, putting us in our blocks — that’s what playoff basketball is,” said Kawhi Leonard, who led the Clippers with 38 points. “You may not have the best night shooter, but you have to influence the game in some way [Westbrook] He did that tonight.”
The Clippers will be looking to take a massive 2-0 series lead as they prepare to face the Suns again in Game 2 on Tuesday.