The Los Angeles Lakers were left out of the 2021 NBA playoffs after a 33-49 season, and they’re off to an 0-4 start in the 2022-23 season. And ahead of Friday night’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Lakers made a very notable lineup decision on a player whose struggles have taken a lot of blame for the team’s disappointing performance over the last two seasons.
The Lakers had Russell Westbrook come off the bench, and they went with a starting lineup of Patrick Beverley, Lonnie Walker IV, LeBron James, Troy Brown Jr., and Damian Jones.
Russell Westbrook off the bench for the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/bBTcTuUB8c
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 28, 2022
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Lakers’ plan earlier on Friday and added that it’s the plan “for the foreseeable future.” Wojnarowski also noted that the health status of Anthony Davis could keep Westbrook in the lineup, but they were each left out of Friday night’s lineup.
Westbrook coming off the bench is the Lakers' plan for the foreseeable future, sources tell ESPN. They'll see how it goes tonight — barring Anthony Davis needing to sit out with his back. https://t.co/vmTiQQTsKu
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 28, 2022
Westbrook had started 1,007 regular-season games, which was the NBA’s third-longest streak behind only Chris Paul and LeBron. If we include the playoffs, the streak was 1,118 consecutive starts. He last came off the bench on Nov. 28, 2008 in his rookie season with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Russell Westbrook is not in the Lakers' starting lineup tonight and will come off the bench.
This ends his streak of 1,007 straight starting appearances. It was the third-longest active streak in the NBA (Chris Paul, LeBron James). pic.twitter.com/zHm9Mllasi
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) October 28, 2022
The last time Russell Westbrook came off the bench was November 28, 2008, in his rookie season.
5,082 days and 1,118 consecutive starts (regular season and playoffs) later, Westbrook will come off the bench for the Lakers vs. the Timberwolves. pic.twitter.com/PsRgkpO59P
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 28, 2022
The 33-year-old point guard has also been battling a left hamstring injury, but the Lakers’ decision seems performance-related above all else. Westbrook has averaged 10.3 points, 4.3 assists, and 6.7 rebounds over his three games this season, but he’s shooting just 28.9% from the field. His efficiency has taken a huge dive since joining the Lakers (his 15.0 Player Efficiency Rating last season was the worst of his career).
Here’s a glimpse of the reaction from NBA fans about the Lakers’ plan for Westbrook and how he’s performed off the bench in the first half of Friday night’s game:
Glory be: Darvin Ham finally quit worrying about Russell Westbrook's Hall of Fame legacy & said enough, he's coming off the bench, which will lessen his cloud-like liability. Enough of his "hamstring" pouting, his "I can't get warm" without starting. Reduce Westbrick's minutes.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) October 29, 2022
The Russell Westbrook hate is so disrespectful. Let this be a reminder that no matter how great or successful you are, people can't wait to tear you down and they will continue to kick you while you're down.
— E (@Everette) October 28, 2022
Russell Westbrook lay-up 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Vf1fUhKyWu
— Lakers Lead (@LakersLead) October 29, 2022
Russell Westbrook is -7 in 1:18 off the bench
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) October 29, 2022
Russell Westbrook missed a layup, lost a shoe, complained to the refs and he still doesn't have his shoe. And that's the Lakers in 2022-23.
— Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) October 29, 2022
That’s one of Westbrook’s best played quarters in terms of approach since he’s been a Laker. Really controlled & methodical, engaged on D, being used both on the ball & off the ball as a screen & dive player. #Lakers
— Dr. Rajpal Brar, DPT (@3cbPerformance) October 29, 2022
Russell Westbrook just went to the tunnel, presumably to try and warm up. He's said in the past he's not quite sure what his routine should be as a reserve
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) October 29, 2022
It's been almost 14 years since Westbrook came off the bench. 👀 pic.twitter.com/Zd7RQaOtL1
— theScore (@theScore) October 28, 2022