Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook on the bench. Apr 7, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) sits on the bench before the game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

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.

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 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.

 

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:

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

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