The Los Angeles Clippers managed to beat the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night despite not having two of their biggest stars, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, on the floor. The biggest reason for that was a vintage performance from veteran guard Russell Westbrook
Westbrook stepped up to the challenge and carried the Clippers to a 141-132 road win by scoring season-high 36 points and adding 10 assists and four rebounds.
The former NBA MVP also moved up on the NBA’s All-Time Scoring list by the end of the night, surpassing Philadelphia 76ers legend Allen Iverson in the process. Westbrook is now 27th on the list, needing 135 more points to jump over Hall of Famer Ray Allen.
Since joining the Clippers as a free agent after the trade deadline, Westbrook assumed a less prominent role and mostly served as a facilitator. However, when the team needed him to be the main guy with Leonard and George out, the 34-year-old player was ready to step up.
“My mindset never changes. My role may change, but my mindset doesn’t,” said Westbrook after the game.
The win against the Grizzlies was an important one for the Clippers, allowing them to remain in the hunt for the home-court advantage in the playoffs. The LA team is currently fifth in the West with a 41-36 record but only trails the Phoenix Suns at No. 4 by half a game.
