The Los Angeles Lakers took on the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday night in an incredibly tight affair. Lakers star point guard Russell Westbrook had a chance to save the day for the Lakers, but a horrible final shot attempt left a lot to be desired.
The 76ers held a 113-112 lead with just 13.1 seconds remaining after a defensive rebound from Westbrook. Westbrook proceeded to dribble the ball down the court and attempted to take 76ers star center Joel Embiid off the dribble for a potential game-winner.
Things didn’t exactly go to plan, as Westbrook bobbled the ball, regained it, and then had his game-winning shot attempted swatted by 76ers help-side defender Georges Niang. With that, the game was over.
Russell Westbrook for the win… pic.twitter.com/b20ufOJ2kC
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 16, 2023
It was certainly a questionable decision from Westbrook at the end of the game, and NBA fans took to social media to criticize this play from Westbrook.
“Oh man… This final possession from Russell Westbrook,” tweeted FanDuel.
Oh man …
This final possession from Russell Westbrook 😬pic.twitter.com/OJqtYt1lFY
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) January 16, 2023
“Westbrook is unbelievable. I’m legitimately stunned by that final possession,” tweeted Raheem Palmer of The Ringer.
Westbrook is unbelievable. I'm legitmately stunned by that final possession. pic.twitter.com/3FQweexCJx
— Raheem Palmer (@iamrahstradamus) January 16, 2023
“What on Earth was Westbrook doing? Yikes. I’ll take it!” tweeted Reuben Frank of NBC Sports Philadelphia.
What on Earth was Westbrook doing? Yikes. I'll take it!
— Reuben Frank (@RoobNBCS) January 16, 2023
To be fair to Westbrook, he was having a pretty excellent game before this final possession for the Lakers, finishing the game with 20 points along with 14 rebounds and 11 assists.
Regardless, Lakers fans would certainly like to see that final shot go into the hands of LeBron James over Russell Westbrook, who himself was having a pretty great game with 35 points on the night.
This final play yet again highlight the issues with Westbrook’s less-than-ideal fit on the Lakers that have plagued him since his arrival in Los Angeles.
