Russell Westbrook is questionable for Saturday night’s pivotal Game 3 between the Wizards and Sixers in D.C., after sitting out Friday’s practice due to the right ankle injury he suffered in Game 2 Wednesday.
Wizards head coach Scott Brooks said Westbrook’s availability will depend on how he responds to treatment, and the team will know Saturday afternoon about his availability.
“"He got some treatment, and I’m sure he’s going to do it around the clock like he always does. That’s all I know right now,” Brooks said. “He always tries to put himself in the best position to play. We’ll see how he feels (Saturday)."
Westbrook had 10 points and 11 assists in Game 2 before leaving in the fourth quarter due to the injury – which had insult added to it when a fan at Wells Fargo Center threw popcorn on him as he exited down the tunnel.
Capital One Arena will have 50 percent capacity for Games 3 and 4, and the Sixers can have full capacity at Wells Fargo Center when they return for either Game 5 or the second round, but NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is hopeful there will be no more shenanigans like that.
"No one is going to get away with an act like that.
You're going to be caught. You're going to be banned from an arena. In some cases there may be criminal prosecution depending if the conduct rises to that level of an assault or something that the police are going to take note of," Silver said in an interview Friday. “We’re thrilled that fans are able to be back in our arenas, to get out of their homes to share this experience with others, we have to demonstrate that there is zero tolerance for that sort of behavior.”
In the present, the Sixers lead the series 2-0, so Westbrook’s availability would be a huge boost to a Wizards team looking to cut that deficit. If he is unable to go, Brooks could promote Ish Smith to the starting lineup, or move Raul Neto – who has been starting on the wing – to the backcourt and promote someone else into that wing spot.
Philly had good injury news ahead of Game 3, as Tobias Harris, who missed some time in Game 2, practiced and should be available, and Seth Curry, who left in the middle of the third quarter of Game 2, did not practice Friday but was listed as probable and Doc Rivers believes he’s “good to go.”