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Russell Westbrook just played his best game in nearly two seasons tonight against Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies.
Without Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, the former MVP showed that he still has a lot more left in the tank. Westbrook's incredible performance created a positive social media buzz that the NBA has rarely seen since arriving in Hollywood in 2021.
Here are a few of the reactions after tonight's eye-opening display:
"LEBUST WAS THE PROBLEM"
Russell Westbrook exploded right out of the gates, knowing he has more of a burden to carry without George and Leonard in the lineup. "Russ" connected on 8-10 field-goal attempts, including a sizzling 4-4 clip from behind the arc. He added eight assists for good measure.
There were half-hearted chants of "Westbrick" at the FedEx Forum but they were drowned out by Westbrook's blistering form. On a night when the LA Clippers badly needed a win to keep their top-four finish goal alive, the former MVP unexpectedly delivered big time.
Westbrook finished the night with 36 points, 10 assists, four rebounds and two blocks. He shot 13-18 from the field, which was highlighted by a perfect 5-5 shooting from deep.
Westbrook's game was also controlled. He didn't have one of those devil-may-care pushes to make plays happen. The often error-prone point guard committed just two turnovers in the game.
Tonight, Russell Westbrook was at his best. He hasn't had contol of a team since his trade to the LA Lakers in 2021. Minus Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, Clippers head coach Ty Lue allowed "Russ to be Russ."
Westbrook's fit around LeBron James when he signed with the Lakers was always questionable. Both are ball-dominant point guards with heavy usage rates who want to be in on the action all the time.
When "Mr. Triple-Double" couldn't get the same touches as he always had before, he struggled badly. It didn't help that he refused to screen for teammates and got into heated arguments with fans and the media.
Westbrook may have found his home with the LA Clippers and it's starting to show on the court. If this is the kind of performance "Russ" brings out every night, the Clippers will be an extremely tough match-up against any opponent.
Russell Westbrook and Dillon Brooks repeatedly got into it during the game between the LA Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies
Dillon Brooks has made a career by playing the bad guy. He reprised the same role again tonight against the LA Clippers. Without Kawhi Leonard and Paul George to take on, he set his sights on Russell Westbrook.
Brooks' no-holds-barred style blew up in his face tonight. Westbrook put up a show not seen in nearly two years.
At one point, the two went back-and-forth, which prompted "Russ" to call him trash late in the first half:
Russell Westbrook eventually also had the last say after the Clippers walked off with the win. He had something more to say to Brooks:
"Go home. Get the f**k outta here."
You may also like to read: “I like y’all!”- Russell Westbrook takes a shot LA Lakers after Clippers secure a hard-fought win over the Thunder
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