Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook said he didn't know how to handle coming off the bench in the Lakers' preseason finale and it "absolutely" led to his groin injury.

and the thing is he’s going to get the blame no matter what because the Lakers aren’t a championship contender. Everything else that comes around it, I’ll continue doing what I’m doing, stay locked in on my craft and everything else will take care of itself.” “You know what man, I’m super blessed and leaning a lot on my faith,” Westbrook said. “It’s time for the Lakers to move him,”Barkely said on TNT. “And no one better than him.” But that’s something I just wasn’t accustomed to.”

Westbrook (hamstring) is active for Tuesday's game against Golden State, Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reports. Westbrook, along with Anthony Davis ...

• Westbrook averaged 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists across 78 starts for the Lakers during the 2021-22 season.

Kevin Durant believes today's NBA media has done a drastic narrative on Russell Westbrook's play last season. He believes it's reached high scales of toxic.

“When you’re playing alongside the biggest figure in L.A in LeBron James everything you do is gonna be magnified,” said Durant. Now, KD has shared his thoughts on the negativity surrounding his former teammate for Westbrook’s recent play with the [Los Angeles Lakers](https://www.slamonline.com/?s=los+angeles+lakers). At age 33, Westbrook averaged 18.5 points, the third lowest average in his career. “I get criticism [on the court] but it’s starting to turn into something else now.” A stunning turn of events in the series led to Durant departing from Oklahoma City, to join that same Dubs squad. [Stephen Curry](https://www.slamonline.com/?s=stephen+curry), [Klay Thompson](https://www.slamonline.com/?s=klay+thompson) and [Draymond Green](https://www.slamonline.com/?s=draymond+green), Durant dealt with his own criticism when he made the move.

Los Angeles Lakers point guard Russell Westbrook is one of the most criticized players in the entire NBA. This criticism has only increased over the last ...

Watching his former teammate be criticized the way he has been, Durant came to his defense, saying NBA dialogue has reached a toxic level. This unwarranted criticism was on full display during a recent pre-season game, when videos went viral of Westbrook standing away from his teammates while they were huddled up both pre-game and during the game. While Westbrook has not played to the level he or the Lakers hoped for, much of the criticism he receives is unwarranted.

After the Los Angeles Lakers season-opening loss, Russell Westbrook cited his hamstring injury with an unfamiliarity with a bench role.

And for me, like, the way I play the game — fast-paced, quick, stop-and-go — and when I subbed in, I felt something … [blamed his recent injury](https://clutchpoints.com/lakers-news-did-russell-westbrook-blame-his-back-injury-on-getting-benched-by-frank-vogel/) on the physical tolls of coming off the bench. Westbrook Westbrook’s pregame routines have been a focus of conversation over the past week. Being honest, I was trying to figure out how to try to stay warm and loose. Last February, Russell Westbrook said being benched in crunchtime led to a back injury.

Westbrook finished Tuesday's 123-109 loss to the Warriors with 19 points (7-12 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 4-5 FT), 11 rebounds, three assists and one steal in 31 minutes.

• As a team, the Lakers shot 10-of-40 from the perimeter, a number that will need to increase should they hope to challenge for the title once again. [Lakers](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/LAL/los-angeles-lakers/), a role that seemed uncertain for many heading into the season.