Not good news for the Houston Rockets as they head into a showdown with the Los Angeles Lakers tonight. Russell Westbrook, who was originally listed as questionable for tonight’s contest with a thigh contusion, is now likely to sit out according to a report from ESPN’s Tim McMahon.
Russell Westbrook (right quad contusion) remains listed as questionable on the official injury report, but a source said the Rockets anticipate he will sit out vs. Lakers tonight.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) August 6, 2020
That would obviously be a big blow to Houston’s chances tonight, as the new small ball approach was specifically designed to get Russ downhill and into space against some of these larger teams, forcing them to chase shooters around the perimeter or collapse onto Westbrook, opening up those shooters.