Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni isn't ruling out the possibility of Russell Westbrook returning at some point in the first round of the 2020 playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
However, the former Coach of the Year admits the Rockets don't have a timetable on Westbrook's return.
Mike D’Antoni on Russell Westbrook’s possible availability at some point this series: “Can’t rule anything out, but don’t rule anything in.” He says Westbrook’s quad is healing, but Rockets still don’t know a timetable for his return.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) August 18, 2020
Russell Westbrook only played in four seeding games for the Rockets. He averaged 24.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists while shooting 43.9 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from beyond the arc and 61.8 percent from the free-throw line.
The Rockets could possibly lose to the Thunder if Westbrook doesn't play. OKC point guard Chris Paul knows Houston's offense pretty well since he played for the team for two years. The future Hall of Famer will also be motivated to knock the Rockets out after they traded him to the Thunder for Westbrook last offseason.
Westbrook appeared in 57 games for Houston during the 2019-20 regular season. It's unclear when the quad injury occurred, but Houston is certainly hoping the ailment goes away sooner rather than later. The only way the Rockets are going to win the title at Disney World is if Westbrook is playing alongside Harden.
The Rockets haven't made it to the NBA Finals in the Harden era, which began in 2012. There's a lot of pressure on Houston to at least reach the Finals this season since Mike D'Antoni is in a contract year and there has been talks he could be replaced if the team underwhelms in the postseason.
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