Russell Westbrook was putting up triple-doubles and impacting games all season long, but he wasn’t efficient doing it. He shot 29 percent from three this season, and his 50.1 true shooting percentage was well below the league average.
That has carried over to the playoffs. Through two games, Westbrook is 13-of-37 shooting overall (35.1 percent) and 1-of-10 from three. In Game 2, Westbrook had 14 points on 5-of-20 shooting, was 1-of-6 from three, and while he had 11 assists and 9 rebounds, he also had 6 turnovers. Westbrook’s shooting woes fits the theme of Oklahoma City struggling with its shot, the main reason the team is down 0-2 to Portland.
Westbrook, to his credit, is owning it.
Thunder's Russell Westbrook (14 points, 5-20 shooting, 9 rebounds, 11 assists, 6 turnovers) falls on sword after Game 2 loss to Blazers: "I'll take full responsibility for tonight. The way I played was unacceptable. I'll be better. I'm not worried one bit." pic.twitter.com/xh1hk0wLZp
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) April 17, 2019
Westbrook and the Thunder were in attack mode early in Game 2, getting to the rim and trying to establish something. It just didn’t last.
At home Thursday it has to, or this series is going to look like last year’s first-round exit.