Shams Charania has reported that Russell Westbrook was ruled out with a foot injury before the Denver Nuggets played the LA Clippers in a pivotal Game 4 on Sunday afternoon. Westbrook has been a huge part of the Nuggets this season, providing the only real offense off that bench for most of it to this point. This is a tough loss for the Nuggets and puts more pressure on someone to step up alongside Nikola Jokic to even the series.
Who Needs to Step Up with Westbrook’s Absence?
Westbrook has provided some veteran experience at the guard position and has made a good impact throughout the season on the defensive side of the ball, as well as on the offense he brings. This means Jamal Murray is going to have to play some more minutes, as well as Christian Braun is going to have to play some point guard minutes.
The Nuggets are the team that really can afford a key injury like this, as their depth is the most limited out of every team in the NBA playoffs at this very moment, as former head coach Michael Malone didn’t use his depth well enough to warrant ease with an injury. The thing that counters it is Jokic himself, as he is the best player in the world today, and he can single-handedly win you a basketball game.
Final Thoughts
The Nuggets will have a tough time without Westbrook in this game, as the Clippers have elite guard play in James Harden and Norman Powell. So Murray and Braun have to be big for the Nuggets today alongside Jokic to even this series at 2-2 heading back to Denver. Look for Michael Porter Jr to also have a bigger role offensively, even though he is suffering from a left shoulder sprain as well. Total Apex Sports will have more NBA news throughout the duration of the Playoffs as things are heating up.
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