Los Angeles Lakers Star Russell Westbrook started bleeding from the forehead after elbowing San Antonio Spurs forward Zach Collins in the head on Saturday.
In the third quarter, Westbrook rebounded his own missed layup and forced Collins to bite on a pump fake. Collins then lunged at Westbrook, who began bleeding profusely. The Lakers guard immediately got off the court to confront Collins and the two had to be separated.
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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James holds up guard Russell Westbrook after Westbrook is fouled by Spurs forward Zach Collins on November 26, 2022 in San Antonio, Texas.
(Daniel Dunn-USA Today Sports)
Westbrook was brought back to his bench with a towel over his face as he bled. He was called a technical foul for frustration after the foul, but Collins received a flagrant 2 foul and was ejected from the game.
“His health is more important than playing basketball. So just tried to stop it and let the coaching staff do their job after we benched him,” James told reporters after the game, via ESPN . “I actually saw the cut right when he got up off the floor and wanted to, uh, wanted to do something with Zach.”
Westbrook said he did not know why he received the technical foul.
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He returned to the game with a bandage on the top of his head. He finished with 11 points, eight rebounds and six assists in the 143-138 victory.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook’s forehead is bleeding profusely after being fouled by Spurs forward Zach Collins, Nov. 26, 2022, in San Antonio, Texas.
(Daniel Dunn-USA Today Sports)
In the victory, James scored 39 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. He had seven three-pointers in his career.
Los Angeles is now 7-12 on the season after losing its first five games.
LeBron James holds a towel over Russell Westbrook’s head during a Spurs game in San Antonio on Nov. 26, 2022.
(Daniel Dunn-USA Today Sports)
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“It just feels like you’re not really sure of each other, we don’t know each other,” James said of the Lakers’ start to the season. “But over the last couple of weeks, we’ve continued to learn from each other, continue to play good ball, share the ball.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
