Russell Westbrook says coming off the bench contributed to his injury / News - Basketnews.com

Russell Westbrook believes that coming off the bench against the Sacramento Kings led to his left hamstring injury.

Credit: AFP-Scanpix Credit AFP-Scanpix

Los Angeles Lakers point guard Russell Westbrook believes that the decision to begin the pre-season game against the Sacramento Kings by coming off the bench contributed to his injury.

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Westbrook injured his left hamstring in the first quarter while the Lakers lost 86-133. So far, it was the only one occasion when Westbrook started the game on the bench.

"Absolutely," Westbrook said when asked whether the decision to come off the bench contributed to his injury. "I've been doing the same thing for 14 years straight. Honestly, I didn't even know what to do pregame."

The Lakers lost their season opener against the Golden State Warriors 109-123.

Westbrook started the game, and in 31 minutes, he accumulated 19 points (6/9 2PT, 1/3 3PT, 4/5 FT), 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 4 turnovers.

"It's not a demotion, it's a realignment," Lakers head coach Darvin Ham said about his decision to start Westbrook on the bench against the Kings.

"It's different combinations of seeing different guys play together," Ham added. "You have to prepare yourself. You got to get out in front of the fact that there's going to be injuries. We don't want them to happen."

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