Nuggets’ Russell Westbrook needs 2 fracture surgeries – Basketball insider
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook will undergo surgery to repair two fractures of his right hand. He used his newsletter Westbrook to confirm the news.
He is believed to have been injured in the regular season.
“I thank everyone for their support throughout the year and I can’t wait to get back to 100% soon,” Westbrook wrote. “A comeback is already in #Whynot.”
Westbrook played 75 games in the regular season, averaging 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.4 steals. He shot 44.9% from the field, including one-third. He only made 66.1% of the free throws.
In the playoffs, Westbrook averaged 11.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 13 games. He only shot 39.1% from the field, with 31.7% of the score being three points.
He has a $3.5 million player option in the 2025-26 season. Expect Westbrook to choose this option and stay in Denver and enjoy his season. He is most effective when playing with Nikola Jokic on the court.
The Nuggets ended the regular season with a score of 50-32 and lost to Oklahoma City in the Western Conference Semi-Finals for seven games.
Nuggets need to improve depth outside Westbrook
Hopefully the surgery will help Westbrook perform on the court. He proved to be valuable to the Nuggets because he could fill it as a starter when Jamal Murray sat.
First, Westbrook averaged 15.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.7 steals. He shot 50.4% from the field and 33.8% from three.
However, the Nuggets have little consistent dependence except Westbrook and Peyton Watson.
Julian Strawther and Jalen Pickett are expected to make great strides in the summer. In addition, Watson will also be expected to improve his offensive ability. Although he hit 35.3% from three, both attempts achieved his comfort in shooting.
For the Nuggets, three-point shooting has always been a big weakness. Increasing shooting depth will only make Jokic more threatening.
This may also simplify Westbrook’s decision-making.
