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The Los Angeles Lakers pulled off an important overtime win against the New York Knicks at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday. The team's highest-paid player, Russell Westbrook, did not take part in OT.
After struggling mightily throughout regulation, Lakers head coach Frank Vogel kept Westbrook on the bench for the duration of the extra period, opting instead to go with Talen Horton-Tucker, who was scoreless through four quarters.
After Russell Westbrook didn't move from the end of the bench to join the Lakers in the huddle, both DeAndre Jordan and Avery Bradley came over to check in on him. DJ is now sitting next to him.
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvo_) February 6, 2022
THT committed a turnover on the first possession of OT, then positively impacted the team in LA's 122-115 win.
Undeniably, Vogel's decision was the right one, at least for this night. In 29 minutes, Westbrook had five points on 1-of-10 shooting. He missed all three of his 3-point attempts and went 3-of-7 on free throws, including two misses in the final minute of the fourth. He had four rebounds, six assists, four turnovers, and was a team-worst -15. He was clearly in his head, indecisive about when to attack and, once again, failed to finish around the rim.
Frank Vogel on his decision to sit Russell Westbrook in OT: "Russ was having a tough night on both sides of the ball. And Bron was really going. So I knew the ball was going to be in Bron’s hands."
He felt going with THT helped the Lakers on defense and off the ball.
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvo_) February 6, 2022
On repeated occasions, a chorus of boos from the Crypto crowd rained down on the Los Angeles native.
It was the second time Vogel had benched Westbrook for crunch time in a matter of weeks. After sitting late in a loss to the Indiana Pacers on Jan. 19, Westbrook stormed off the Lakers' bench and out of the arena in a huff. He didn't speak to reporters. He responded by playing well during the Lakers' six-game road trip.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1qIX7eVct5X13TtRu0XDFg?si=2ed5b20159394474
On Saturday, Westbrook was outwardly cheery in his postgame remarks. He repeatedly said he didn't want to make the storyline about himself and was simply happy the Lakers came away with a victory.
“The best part about this game is you win,” he said. “Guys competed, we won the game. That’s all that matters.”
Russ on Frank Vogel's decision to bench him vs. Indiana and tonight: "He makes the decision that he feels is best for the team."
"I don't want to make it about me. We got a good win. On to the next one."
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvo_) February 6, 2022
“I missed some shots that I normally make. But like I said, I don’t want to make it about me. … Everybody is gonna have off nights.”
Based on Westbrook's demeanor and comments, it sounds like Vogel's latest bold move to bench the nine-time All-Star won't create drama in the locker room. Now, the Lakers just need him to play better.
