LOS ANGELES — LA Clippers point guard Russell Westbrook fractured his left hand in the first half against the Washington Wizards on Friday night and was ruled out for the game.
The former MVP played 10 minutes in the first half and left the game for good with 8:10 remaining in the second quarter.
Westbrook, 35, entered the season as the Clippers’ starting point guard. The team acquired James Harden in a trade on Oct. 30, and after a six-game losing streak, Westbrook made the move to coming off the bench to help things flow better.
Entering Friday night’s game, the Clippers were 34-13 since Westbrook moved to the bench.
With Westbrook looking at the possibility of missing extended time, coach Ty Lue may turn to reserve point guard Bones Hyland in his absence. Hyland, who had been out of the rotation, checked into the game late in the third quarter against Washington.
Westbrook entered Friday averaging 11.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists. He left the game with six points in 11 minutes against his former team.