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Russell Westbrook believes his hamstring injury in the Los Angeles Lakers’ preseason finale could have been caused by his different role coming off the bench.
Westbrook started on the bench in Friday’s preseason defeat to the Sacramento Kings but played just five minutes before coming off due to a concern with his left hamstring.
The 2017 NBA MVP recovered from his knock and returned to the starting lineup for his side’s 123-109 loss to the Golden State Warriors in their NBA season opener on Tuesday.
And when asked whether his bench role against Sacramento played a role in his injury, he said: “Absolutely – I’ve been doing the same thing for 14 years straight.
“Honestly, I didn’t even know what to do pregame. Being honest, I was trying to figure out how to stay warm and loose. That’s something I just wasn’t accustomed to.”
Coach Darvin Ham suggested in preseason that Westbrook may be used from the bench as part of a different strategy following their hugely disappointing campaign last year.
The Lakers finished 11th in the Western Conference with a 33-49 record despite boasting stars payers such as Westbrook, LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Westbrook’s start on Tuesday, the 1,005th time in 1,022 career games that he had played with the first unit, proved futile with reigning champions the Warriors winning comfortably.
Speaking on Westbrook’s starting role after the game, Ham said: “You want to start the game off the right way in terms of your energy and being in attack mode, and no one better than him [Westbrook].
“I thought he was solid. A couple possessions I wish I can get back, but overall, I thought he was solid.”
Westbrook finished up with 19 points, 11 rebounds and three assists in 31 minutes on court.
The Lakers face city rivals the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday as they look for their first win of the season.
