Russell Westbrook has undergone surgery on his right hand to address two fractures sustained during the season, affecting his postseason performance with the Denver Nuggets. Despite playing with heavily taped fingers, Westbrook averaged 11.7 points in 24 minutes per game during the playoffs but struggled with a 39.1% shooting rate at times.

Details Surrounding the Surgery and Recovery

The surgery was confirmed both by Westbrook on his blog, World of Westbrook, and by the Nuggets organization. Westbrook shared his determination to return to full health soon, stating,

“I’m undergoing surgery on my right hand to fix two breaks that happened during the season. I’m grateful for everyone’s support all year and I can’t wait to be back out there at 100% soon. The comeback is already in motion.”

—Russell Westbrook, NBA player

Westbrook’s Season Performance and Future Prospects

This season, Westbrook averaged 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.9 rebounds across 75 games, playing nearly 28 minutes per contest. His contributions have been enhanced by Nikola Jokic’s unique playmaking skills, which help Westbrook find scoring opportunities on cuts and fast breaks. At 36 years old and facing recovery after surgery, Westbrook holds a $3.5 million player option for next season. Although he may explore offers from other playoff teams, it is unlikely he will secure a more lucrative contract or better role elsewhere than with the Nuggets.

Potential Impact on the Denver Nuggets and Playoff Outlook

The Nuggets are expected to welcome Westbrook back as a valuable depth option around Jokic, especially given his experience and ability to contribute in high-pressure situations. His recovery and return to form will be crucial for Denver’s postseason ambitions, with the team and fans hopeful he can regain full strength for the next campaign.