Clips’ Westbrook fractures hand, out indefinitely

LOS ANGELES — LA Clippers point guard Russell Westbrook fractured his left hand in the first half against the Washington Wizards on Friday night and missed the remainder of the team’s 140-115 win.

The former MVP played 10 minutes in the first half and left the game for good with 8:10 remaining in the second quarter.

Westbrook, 35, entered the season as the Clippers’ starting point guard. The team acquired James Harden in a trade on Oct. 30, and after a six-game losing streak, Westbrook moved to the bench to help things flow better.

With Friday’s win, the Clippers improved to 35-13 since that move.

With Westbrook looking at the possibility of missing extended time, coach Tyronn Lue may turn to reserve point guard Bones Hyland in his absence. Hyland, who had been out of the rotation, checked into the game late in the third quarter. he had two points and seven assists in 16 minutes.

Westbrook, who entered Friday averaging 11.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists, finished with six points in 11 minutes against his former team.