Russell Westbrook makes Clippers debut, returns to starting role

LOS ANGELES(AP) — Russell Westbrook not only switched locker rooms atCrypto.com Arena. He went from being on the bench to a return tothe starting lineup.

Los AngelesClippers coach Tyronn Lue didn’t waste much time seeing how wellWestbrook would mesh with his new team. The eight-timeAll-Starsigned after he cleared waiverson Wednesday andwas the starting point guard Friday night in a game against theSacramento Kings.

Westbrook’sClippers debut was overshadowed in what ended up being thesecond-highest-scoring game in NBA history. He had 17 points, 14assists and five rebounds in 39 minutes during theClippers’ 176-175 loss to the Kingsin double overtime.

“It was greatto get back on the floor. Obviously, you want to win and that’s themost important part,” said Westbrook, who fouled out with 1:49remaining in the second overtime.

Lue waspleased with Westbrook’s debut despite him having only twopractices with the Clippers before the game. Westbrook was waivedby Utah on Monday after beingtraded to the Jazz by theLakerson Feb. 9.

“I thought hewas great. Still learning the offense, still learning where guyslike the basketball and where to get the ball,” Lue said. “He knewPG’s (Paul George’s) plays and Kawhi’s (Leonard) plays, that’s themost important thing, and he picked up on those right away.”

Westbrookquickly fit in by pushing the pace and finding his new teammates.He was the first Clippers player to have at least 10 assists in histeam debut since 2005.

OfWestbrook’s 14 assists, Leonard was the biggest beneficiary.Leonard scored 13 of his season-high 44 points off passes fromWestbrook, including three 3-pointers.

Norman Powellhad three catch-and-shoot 3-pointers, but Westbrook also had towork it inside, finding Mason Plumlee inside for three easybaskets.

George, thebiggest supporter of Westbrook joining the Clippers, said it wasquickly apparent that Westbrook filled an immediate need.

“We needed apoint guard. What you saw tonight: somebody to get us on offenseand someone to get us easy baskets,” said George, who played withWestbrook for two seasons in Oklahoma City. “I know his strengths.If you run with him, he will make the game easier for us.”

Westbrook was7 of 13 shooting. Most of his attempts were drives in the paint (6of 9) instead of pullup jumpers, which defined his 1 1/2 seasonswith the Lakers. He missed his first three 3-point attempts beforemaking one in the corner in the first overtime.

For all thepositive flashes that Westbrook showed, there are things he stillneeds to clean up with his game. There were seven turnovers, withfour attributed to bad passes. He got crossed up on defense late inregulation when Malik Monk hit a 3-pointer with 1.1 secondsremaining in regulation to force overtime.

The Clipperswill need Westbrook to continue to get up to speed with only 20games remaining in the regular season. Los Angeles is fifth in theWestern Conference with a 33-29 record but only two games in frontof the pack in the play-in tournament spots.

“I think it’sgoing to be just learning as we go through the process,” Lue said.“We don’t have a lot of time to really experiment, because we’vestill got to win games. We have to make sure we take advantage ofeverything we can so we can get up to speed.”