Mike D’Antoni has shut down any possibility to see Russell Westbrook’s minutes reduced. The star point guard didn’t have the best game against the Lakers on Sunday night. Russ looked lost for a big part of the game and it was without him that the Rockets were able to cut the distance between them and the Lakers at some point. When he disappeared, PJ Tucker, Robert Covington and co. showed up to help James Harden reduce the difference and even take the lead of the game.
Russ, on the other hand, wasn’t accurate, missing open shots as well as turning the ball over. Taking him out of the game was a good decision for D’Antoni but the veteran head coach is confident that Westbrook will recover his best shape and will be very helpful for his team. He has made it clear that Westbrook won’t see his minutes on the floor cut.
“We’re not going to win anything without Russell. He’s going to break through it.” D’Antoni said, per Ben DuBose of USA Today. “He’s more upset than anybody. He’s a great, great player. He’ll be fine. Not worried about him.”
Mike D'Antoni indicates that reducing Westbrook's minutes isn't an option.
"We're not going to win anything without Russell. He's going to break through it. He's more upset than anybody. He's a great, great player. He'll be fine. Not worried about him."
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) September 7, 2020
Brodie had a terrible night last night; this is not the version the Rockets wants to see right now, even less against the Los Angeles Lakers. Westbrook surely will try to demonstrate this was just a bad game. The team needs him in proper conditions if they want to aspire to eliminate the Lakers and reach the Western Conference Finals once again.
