Russell Westbrook inspires Washington Wizards with triple-double against Detroit Pistons

Russell Westbrook inspires Washington Wizards with triple-double against Detroit Pistons

Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook scored his 15th triple-double of the season with 19 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists as Washington Wizards beat Detroit Pistons. Bradley Beal has a injury-shortened outing, although he scored 17 points in 21 minutes before the NBA’s leading scorer departed early in the third quarter with a bruised hip after starting the game with a sore right foot. 

Washington Wizards nearly gave back a 30-point lead after Beal left. But Russell Westbrook’s NBA-best 15th triple-double helped the Wizards secure just their second win in 10 games since the All-Star break. Apart from Beal and Westbrook, Rui Hachimura added 14 points and Daniel Gafford had 13 in his debut for the Wizards 

“I’ve been around a lot of guys that can bounce back, and he might be one of the best ones,” Wizards coach Scott Brooks said of Beal’s prognosis as per ESPN. “We’ll see how he feels tomorrow and then make the decision come next game.” 

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Russell Westbrook leads Washington Wizards past Detroit Pistons with triple-double 

Wayne Ellington scored 15 points for the last-place Pistons, who have lost four in a row and 14 of their last 18. They also lost a starter in the third, when Jerami Grant departed with a thigh bruise. Detroit shot 38.8% from the floor and committed 19 turnovers. 

Beal picked up his injury late in the second quarter on an awkward fall after driving and charging into Detroit’s Saddiq Bey. He remained in through halftime, but was removed with 8:57 to go in the third as Washington held a 74-46 lead. 

Detroit immediately responded with a 23-2 run to close the deficit to 76-69, then eventually got the game within a single possession when Isaiah Stewart’s layup cut it to 82-79. But Washington outscored Detroit 24-13 over the final 10:13, a stretch that included Westbrook’s last four assists. 

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