Russell Westbrook reportedly set to play for Rockets in Game 5

Mark Berman reports that Westbrook is in for Game 5, and an ESPN report says he “looked as explosive as ever” at a Houston scrimmage.

The playing status of injured All-Star guard Russell Westbrook (right quad strain) was upgraded to questionable on Wednesday, with the final decision expected to be made based on an on-court pregame workout.

With Game 5 now delayed from Wednesday until Saturday (most likely) due to an NBA protest over social justice, it seems the additional 72 hours of rest could make Westbrook’s availability less of a question.

Per Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston, Westbrook will play in Game 5 of the first-round series between the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder, which is currently tied at two games apiece. Historically, the Game 5 winner in those scenarios winsthe series more than 80% of the time, which makes it a critical game for Westbrook and the Rockets.

Westbrook’s return could also provide an emotional lift to the Rockets, who enter having lost their last two games in heartbreaking fashion.

According to a source cited by ESPN’s Tim MacMahon and Adrian Wojnarowski, Westbrook “looked as explosive as ever” during an intrasquad Rockets scrimmage on Thursday.

That served as Westbrook’s first full-speed, five-on-five activity since he received an MRI diagnosis of a strained right quad on Aug. 12. Based on how his quad responded, it appears to have given both the team and Westbrook full confidence regarding his availability for Game 5.

Westbrook missed two seeding games with a right quad injury before playing 28 minutes versus San Antonio on Tuesday, Aug. 11. He was again ruled out the next day with an injury to that quad, and he hasn’t played since. If Game 5 is Saturday, that would be 18 days since his last game.

Prior to last Saturday’s Game 3, Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni had conceded that Houston’s 2-0 series advantage over Oklahoma City allowed them to be more cautious with Westbrook’s timetable. With the series now tied, however, that may no longer be the case.

D’Antoni said last week that MRI imaging had shown improvement in Westbrook’s quad relative to the prior week, and that he had begun doing some running and other on-court activities as of last weekend.

The NBA’s automated cameras at the Disney World “bubble” captured Westbrook going through a series of drills at Houston’s Sunday practice, and he appeared to have minimal (if any) restrictions.

Now 31 years old, Westbrook has averaged 27.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 7.0 assists in 35.9 minutes per game during a brilliant debut season in Houston. A nine-time NBA All-Star and the 2017 MVP, Westbrook shot a career-high 47.2% in the regular season with the Rockets — whose small-ball approach opened up more opportunities to attack the rim. He is the team’s No. 2 scorer, trailing only MVP finalist James Harden.

The revised date and time for Game 5 between the Rockets and Thunder has yet to be officially announced. According to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, the NBA’s plan is for the game to be played on Saturday. The full schedule should be formally announced later Friday.

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