Russell Westbrook played a solid all-around game in the Los Angeles Lakers (23-23) important 116-105 bounce-back win over the Orlando Magic (8-39) on Friday at the Amway Center.
Westbrook — who was benched in crunch time of the Lakers loss to the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday — responded with 18 points (8-of-17 shooting), 11 rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and three turnovers (and, as usual, a few moments for the blooper reel) in 35 minutes. It was the first time in four games the Lakers' highest-paid player had eclipsed the 30 minute mark.
LeBron James praised Westbrook's attacking and play-making, while Carmelo Anthony complimented his pace and decision-making. Frank Vogel said Russ played “a hell of a game.”
LeBron on Russell Westbrook's performance vs. Magic: "It’s one game. I think he let last game go and he was focused on this game. New game, new trip. He’s the head of the snake when it comes to being our point guard." LeBron praised how Russ attacked the paint in the Lakers win.
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvoNBA) January 22, 2022
How Russ would respond on the court to the drama from Wednesday was arguably less interesting than how he might respond at the podium.
If you recall, Westbrook exited the court, the locker room, and Crypto.com Arena prematurely after he was benched. According to reports, he had to initially be talked into staying on the bench, then took off before speaking to his teammates, coaches, or reporters about the ordeal.
We heard from Westbrook on Friday morning, via an interview with ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Westbrook said that while he was displeased with the decision from Frank Vogel — who said he was trying to put players on the court he thought would win — the nine-time All-Star was more irked about the loss and has done everything the coaching staff has asked him to do since arriving in Los Angeles.
Following the Magic win, Russ, in better spirits, re-iterated those sentiments.
“I think you know my reaction, you read it,” he told reporters. “I said I was upset about it. More upset that we didn’t win the game, that’s the most important part. After that, like I said, I’ve been here and doing my job since Day 1 and doing everything that’s been asked of me since I got here, and I’ll continue to do that for the betterment of the team and doing what's best for us and finding ways to implement how I can make an impact on this team.”
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1zIWCJzCaQN8MNkj6CE5Ss?si=b40f9f14da8f4d31
Curiously, there was a bit of a disconnect between how Westbrook and Vogel characterized their interactions since the benching. In his pregame remarks, Vogel said he resorts to “over-communication” in these types of situations, implying that was the case with Westbrook. Afterward, Vogel said he and Russ mainly spoke about turning the page and focusing on Orlando and chose not to disclose details.
In Westbrook's walk-off interview with TNT, the Lakers guard said there had been “no conversations” with Vogel.
In this clip, Russell Westbrook says he had "no conversations" w/ Vogel about the benching.
Here's what the Lakers coach said pregame when asked about coaching Russ post-benching: "Just communicate…You try to overcommunicate in those situations, and this one's no different." https://t.co/N5mbobgHTj
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvoNBA) January 22, 2022
At the podium, he was asked again about the communication with Vogel over the past 48 hours.
“I think the communication is fine. Like I said, Frank made a decision that he felt was best. My job as a player and a professional is to do my job. Continue to find ways to impact winning. That’s all I was thinking about and turning the page to do. And that's what I was trying to do tonight.”
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