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The Houston Rockets gave fans a show as they won a tough battle over the Los Angeles Clippers in spite of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George playing at full strength. However, what makes this game different exceptional is the fact that Russell Westbrook scored the lights out of the Staples Center.
He finished the night with 40 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. It is easily one of the more impressive performances he put up this season. However, this performance has a little bit more significance other than it being a solid night for Westbrook.
ESPN Stats & Info revealed that this is the first time since 2011 that a player not named James Harden scored 40 points in an NBA game.
Last night, Russell Westbrook became the first Rockets player not named James Harden with a 40-point game since Kevin Martin in 2011.
In the last 10 seasons, Houston has had 90 40-point games. Harden has 87 of them. pic.twitter.com/jMPjFG8Tdy
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 20, 2019
This statistic is something many Houston fans are happy to learn about. After all, Harden has been carrying the team since the 2012-13 season. For him to finally have a teammate who can score and produce as good as he does is a great indication that he will have another teammate who can take the heat off him whenever the playoffs do come.
Moreover, this performance shows that Westbrook can still bring it on a nightly basis. There were fears that he cannot perform on the same level anymore as Houston is clearly Harden's team. This showing proves that he can more than accommodate how The Beard plays.
However, this performance doesn't tell the entire story. There have been plenty of instances where Westbrook seemingly doesn't fit in with the Rockets' defensive scheme, and this will be a huge problem for them come the playoffs.
Fortunately, there are still months left before they begin playing the games that actually matter. Until then, Harden and Westbrook have to jell as quickly as possible for the sake of the Rockets.
