NBA Playoffs 2019: Russell Westbrook earns Player of the Day

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The 2019 NBA Playoffs are heating up!

Every day from now until the end of the postseason, our NBA.com Staff will bring you one top performer following the completion of the playoff games on that day.

You'll be able to see the best performance and three honourable mentions from each day, while also having access to all prior "Player of the Night" files, as we see who can tally the most honours these playoffs.

Today's player of the day is...

Russell Westbrook


Team's result: Thunder 120, Trail Blazers 108

Stat line: 33 points (11-22 FG, 4-6 3PT, 7-8 FT), 11 assists, 5 rebounds, 1 block

Westbrook called himself out after the Thunder's Game 2 loss and he stepped up to his own expectations in Game 3.

The All-Star point guard went to war for his team, scoring a game-high 33 points on an efficient shooting night for the first time this postseason.

He scored 14 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter to get OKC their first win of the playoffs, trailing the Blazers 2-1.

Honourable mentions

Pascal Siakam


Team's result: Raptors 98, Magic 93

Stat line: 30 points (13-20 FG, 3-4 3PT, 1-1 FT), 11 rebounds, 4 assists

Siakam surpassed his playoff career-high in scoring for the second time in three games with his 30-point outing.

He stepped up in a game where Kawhi Leonard struggled, helping the Raptors take a 2-1 lead in the series.

Jaylen Brown


Team's result: Celtics 104, Pacers, 96

Stat line: 23 points (8-9 FG, 4-5 3PT, 3-7 FT), 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block

Brown scored 12 points in the first quarter to get the Celtics trending in the right direction for the remainder of the game.

He made his first eight field goal attempts of the game before a heave to beat the shot clock in the fourth quarter ruined his perfect shooting performance.

The young shooting guard has filled in nicely as a starter for the injured Marcus Smart.

Damian Lillard


Team's result: Thunder 120, Trail Blazers 108

Stat line: 32 points (10-21 FG, 3-9 3PT, 9-10 FT)

Lillard struggled to score early on as he only had four points at the half.

He exploded for 25 points in the third quarter alone to will his team back into the game, but ultimately fell short when Westbrook went off in the fourth quarter.

Lillard did all he could to try and get the Blazers a 3-0 series lead, but they'll have to settle for a 2-1 lead for now.

Previous winners

April 14 – Stephen Curry

April 15 – Giannis Antetokounmpo

April 16 – Lou Williams

April 17 - Kawhi Leonard

April 18 - James Harden

April 19 - Ben Simmons

Author(s)
Kyle Irving Photo

Kyle Irving is an NBA content producer for The Sporting News.