Russell Westbrook will miss his first game of the 2021-22 NBA season when the Los Angeles Lakers visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday due to lower back tightness. Westbrook tested out his back and was ruled out about an hour before tip-off.

It's easy to get conspiratorial about the timing, especially considering Westbrook's appearance as “questionable” on the injury report came as a surprise on Wednesday afternoon. He had not previously been listed on the injury report with any back issues, and neither he nor Frank Vogel made any mention of the injury in recent days — which could have been an easy way to dampen the drama after he was benched in overtime on Saturday vs. the New York Knicks and then again vs. the Milwaukee Bucks. The NBA Trade Deadline is tomorrow, and, according to reports, the Lakers are looking to off-load their highest-paid player.

Westbrook's absence also means he won't speak to the media. Russ caused a stir after Tuesday's loss to Milwaukee with his post-game criticism of Vogel and controversial comments about whether he's “earned the right” to close games, despite his alarming struggles.

All that said, there are indicators that his back has been troubling him. Here are a few things we know.

1) Westbrook may have injured his back vs. the Los Angeles Clippers last Thursday

In the second quarter of the Lakers' loss to the Clippers on Feb. 3, Westbrook seemed to tweak his back after a screen from Isaiah Hartlestein. He grabbed his lower back and winced in pain.

2) Westbrook spent the fourth quarter on Tuesday lying and sitting on the floor

Westbrook was “benched” for the final 16 minutes of the Lakers' loss to the Bucks. However, he didn't literally sit on the Lakers bench. Instead, he spent that time on the floor — a tactic that players dealing with back pain often utilize. (Steve Nash, who battled lingering back pain, exclusively sat on the floor for the second half of his career.)

 

3) It's totally believable Russ is physically hampered

Certainly, Westbrook is going through something mentally. He's played hesitant, uncertain, and unfocused, and has seemed rattled by the boos from his home crowd that have rained down in consecutive games.

On the other hand, it's entirely plausible he's physically compromised, as well. In fact, it would make a ton of sense.

Other than a few moments, Westbrook has lacked burst and elevation, especially on his jumper. In the two games since the Clippers matchup, he has 15 total points on a combined 4-of-21 shooting.

Following the announcement he would miss the Blazers bout, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Westbrook felt discomfort in his back against Milwaukee and didn't feel it was ready on the second leg of a back-to-back. Understandable.

So, hold off on your conspiracies, for now.

In other news, LeBron James (knee) and Dwight Howard (back), who were also game-time decisions, will be available for the Lakers.