The five-game winning streak for the Los Angeles Lakers ended at the hands of the Denver Nuggets. The team lost the game, 109-122 against a fully stacked Nuggets team. The Lakers played without their leading scorer LeBron James who was ruled out of the game. But there was another potential injury to the lifeline of the Lakers bench, Russell Westbrook, during the game.
During the game against the Denver Nuggets, Westbrook sustained an injury to his right pinky finger. However, he still led the Lakers in points while coming off the bench scoring 25 points along with 7 rebounds and 7 assists.
Lakers fans loved Russell Westbrook’s toughness
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The Denver Nuggets were in full swing as they defeated a shorthanded Lakers team. With no LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves, or Lonnie Walker IV, Denver had six players scoring in double figures.
According to ESPN reporter Dave McMenamin, ?Russell Westbrook says he dislocated his right pinky finger during the game tonight. He said the finger popped out of place twice and he had to pop it back in himself. X-rays taken after the game were negative, per Westbrook.?
Fans couldn?t help but be impressed with Westbrook?s resilience for playing with an injury. Here are some reactions:?
Tough as nails 🫡💪🏿
— Andre (@brotherdre25) January 10, 2023
And was 10-13 in the 2nd half with 21 points. Warrior. Ton of other players would take the rest of the game off, true professional like he always has been.
— Christian (@Christian_B8) January 10, 2023
Lebron would have missed a month.. Played a team with a winning record, of coarse he sat out.
— Collis R Blake (@romo2267) January 10, 2023
https://twitter.com/ChrisTookFlight/status/1612678359364014082?s=20&t=4OAtlKVipnWNNCXnyZeQng
Went 10-13 in the 2nd half🐐
— MilGetShiesty🇨🇩 (@Mil_Boolin) January 10, 2023
Good X-Ray was negative but he’ll probably need to Buddy tape fingers for next games
— Dr. Evan Jeffries, DPT (@GameInjuryDoc) January 10, 2023
Although it is good news for Laker fans as the X-Ray came back negative, Westbrook will have to play more cautiously.?
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The Lakers cannot afford to have any more injuries to their players. The team already has four key players out of rotation including James.
Anthony Davis injury update
An update on the return of Anthony Davis has given Laker fans some hope for this season as the majority of the potential trades have been falling out. Players like Thomas Bryant have really shown signs of taking up a bigger role since the New Year.
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Watch This Story – Russell Westbrook vs Stephen Curry, what do the numbers say on who’s the better point guard
Bryant is averaging 20.8 PPG and 12.2 RPG for the month of January which is a huge leap from his previous month?s average.?Let?s see how the Lakers bounce back after this loss as they go up against Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks in their next matchup.