When the LA Clippers acquired James Harden from the Philadelphia 76ers, the billing was that four stars from the Los Angeles area were coming together, with Harden joining Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and starting point guard Russell Westbrook. But with the Clippers on a six-game losing streak, including a 0-5 mark with Harden in the lineup, Westbrook will come off the bench starting Friday night against the Houston Rockets, sources briefed on the decision said Friday. Terance Mann, who was originally named a starter before suffering a sprained left ankle before the season opener and returning to a bench role after the trade, will be re-inserted into a starting lineup that will include Harden, George, Leonard and center Ivica Zubac. The move has been speculated about all month given the fit of Westbrook and Harden as players who are most comfortable with the ball in their hands. -via The Athletic / November 17, 2023

Source: Los Angeles Times November 21, 2023 04:59 UTC