Will Russell Westbrook play against the Pacers, today, March 25?

The Los Angeles Clippers are in the thick of a race for the top four in the Western Conference, and will are set to get a big piece of their puzzle back for the final stretch of the season. Russell Westbrook could make his return to the hardwood as soon as tonight against the Clippers.

Getting healthy at right time

Injuries have plagued the Clippers over the last few seasons, and that has had a direct effect on their playoff runs being cut short. This season Paul George and Kawhi Leonard have stayed healthy for the majority of the season, and now LA is on the verge of getting Russell Westbrook back after more than three weeks on the sideline.

Westbrook fractured his hand in the Clippers win over the Washington Wizards on March 1st. He went to the operating room a few weeks later, and was scheduled to be out for three weeks. Reports from ESPN claim that Westbrook should make his sometime this week, and apparently that could be as early as tonight for the Clips game against Indiana.

Tyron Lue has used Westbrook as a sixth man, coming off the bench as the starting five got a little too congested with star power earlier this season. Westbrook volunteered himself for the role, and has been flourishing as the leader of the second unit and the energy guy in his substitute. He is averaging 11.1 points, 5.1 rebound and 4.4 assists off the bench this season.

The Clips have split their 12 games in the time that Westbrook has missed, and now find themselves holding on to the four seed in the West trying to ensure home court in first round of the playoffs. They most likely won’t reach the top three teams who are fighting for the one seed, so their priority will be staying ahead of the New Orleans Pelicans who are only a half game back of LA.