Despite being close friends off the court, Patrick Beverley and Russell Westbrook remain fierce competitors on the court. The two players who are now BFFs used to go at each other both on the court and in the media, unsurprisingly, again squared up trash-talking before the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls game.
Before the LA Clippers’ game against the Chicago Bulls on Monday night, Beverley was seen embracing Westbrook. However, the mutual love quickly dissipated when the game started, and Westbrook scored the first basket of the game through contact over Beverley. Westbrook celebrated his move by doing his signature rock the baby celebration, getting back at Beverley for some pregame trash talk.
Beverley had texted Westbrook before the game, saying that he was going to bust the Clippers’ ass. After the game, Beverley’s podcast account posted a funny video of Westbrook responding to the trash talk. Despite this, Beverley has spoken very highly of Westbrook, calling him a brother for life.
Russ got the last laugh last night š pic.twitter.com/g6My9Zl3nM
— Pat Bev Pod (@PatBevPod) March 29, 2023
Before the game, Beverley reunited with his former Clippers teammates Terance Mann and Ivica Zubac, and asked them how Westbrook was doing. Beverley told them that Westbrook is a great dude, and it was cool to hear the former Clippers guard talk this way about Westbrook.
While Beverley and Westbrook are friends off the court, they continue to compete fiercely against each other on the court. As rivals turned friends, their relationship adds to the fun and excitement of the game, as they push each other to be better players.
Russell Westbrook Playmaking Prowess Shines as Clippers Chase Playoff Spot
Russell Westbrook’s exceptional playmaking abilities have often been overlooked throughout his career, despite holding the NBA record for the most triple-doubles ever. On Monday night, the Los Angeles Clippers guard joined a select group of players by recording his 400th career 10-assist game, becoming only the ninth player in NBA history to achieve this feat. The other players in this elite group include John Stockton, Jason Kidd, Magic Johnson and Steve Nash.
Westbrook’s impressive performance against the Chicago Bulls helped the Clippers secure a 124-112 victory, keeping them in the running for a playoff spot. In his new role with the Clippers, Westbrook has thrived, averaging 13.9 points, 7.3 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game while shooting 46.8 percent from the floor in 15 games.
The Clippers have just six games left in their schedule and are hoping to avoid the Play-In Tournament. However, with Paul George out for a few weeks due to a right knee sprain, they will need Westbrook to continue playing at a high level to make it happen. Westbrook’s playmaking skills will be crucial for the Clippers to secure a playoff spot and make a deep run in the postseason.
