Two games into the season and Russell Westbrook has two triple-doubles. He became the fourth player in NBA history to open a season with consecutive triple-doubles. However, both games have resulted in losses for the Washington Wizards. Their latest occurred Saturday night to the Orlando Magic by the score of 130-120.
Westbrook finished the game with 15 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists. However, he shot a dismal 6-of-19 from the field, including 0-of-4 from three. He also committed five turnovers.
After the game, Westbrook took blame for the loss with a blunt NSFW reaction.
Westbrook has been a human stat sheet through the first two games of the season, averaging 18.0 points, 13.5 assists and 13.0 rebounds. Yet, he’s shot a less than stellar 15-of-41 (36.6%) from the field and is 0-of-6 from three.
It’s only two games and Washington has been without forward Rui Hachimura with an eye infection while Davis Bertans has been playing on a minutes restriction. It’s too early to panic, especially considering the condensed training camp and preseason during the coronavirus pandemic.
Westbrook only played in one preseason game. However, there is cause for concern. Westbrook is 32 years of age, and has been an inconsistent shooter throughout his career. The triple-doubles are exciting, but Westbrook will need to be more efficient shooting and taking care of the ball.
The Wizards are slated to play the Magic Sunday on the back end of their back-to-back. It will be their first of three back-to-backs in the next eight games. Washington head coach Scott Brooks previously stated Westbrook will be held out of back-to-back games. Thus, there’s a chance he’ll have to sulk until Tuesday when when the Wizards face the Chicago Bulls.
