Things got testy between Houston Rockets star Russell Westbrook and William Rondo, brother of Los Angeles Lakers guard Rajon Rondo, in the fourth quarter of Game 5. Westbrook did not appreciate William's yapping on the sidelines, especially with everything going downhill for the Rockets.
The ferocious guard fired back and called Rajon's brother out for it. And for his unnecessary antics, William Rondo was kicked out of the arena. Following Houston's 119-96 loss, Westbrook explained why he doesn't ride with the trash talking of the Rondo brothers, via Ben Golliver of The Washington Post:
Rockets’ Russell Westbrook on verbal altercation w/ Rajon Rondo’s brother: “Rondo was talking s—. He decided he wanted to hop in too. Those rules stand for everybody. When you cross that line, he’s supposed to be at home. He started talking crazy and I don’t play that.” pic.twitter.com/za8MsHLpxo
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) September 13, 2020
This isn't a new scene for Russell Westbrook. He has become all too familiar with hecklers in the crowd.
With the league holding games with minimal people in the stands, Westbrook can definitely hear everything. It seems like he didn't like the ongoing trash-talking with Houston already dead in the water late in the fourth quarter of Game 5.
Los Angeles absolutely mauled Houston on Saturday night. The Lakers came out firing and raced out to a 15-point lead at the end of the first quarter. They extended their lead to 26 by the end of the third to finally put Houston away.
For his part, Westbrook struggled from the field once again, going just 4-of-13 from the floor. He ended his season with 10 points, four rebounds, and six assists.
This marks Houston's second conference semi-finals exit in as many years. Last year, Daryl Morey traded for Westbrook to pair with superstar James Harden in the back court. With another disappointing finish to their season, the Rockets will certainly do a lot of soul-searching this coming off-season.
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