The Los Angeles Lakers are 0-3, and not surprisingly, many are blaming Russell Westbrook, whether it’s fair or not.
He has shot very poorly in his last two games, and the calls for him to be benched, sent home or traded have gotten as loud as ever.
On Wednesday evening, the Lakers will take on the Denver Nuggets, a game for which Westbrook has been listed as doubtful due to a lingering hamstring problem.
Just hours before tip-off, head coach Darvin Ham has decided to replace him in the starting lineup with Austin Reaves, a second-year undrafted wing. Westbrook will not play in the contest.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves is expected to start in place of Russell Westbrook (out, hamstring) tonight vs. Nuggets, per sources, a lineup change L.A. could keep moving forward as team searches for rotations. Reporting: pic.twitter.com/tv4ZloZXUm
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 26, 2022
Ham has reportedly been considering bringing Westbrook off the bench for a while now. In fact, he did bring the former MVP off the bench in L.A.’s last preseason game.
That was the game in which Westbrook sustained his hamstring ailment.
