Lakers’ Russell Westbrook says coming off bench played a role in hamstring injury

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The Los Angeles Lakers opened the 2022-2023 NBA season with a 123-109 loss to the Golden State Warriors as the 2022 NBA champions received their rings. 

As the Lakers begin the season, many questions linger for a franchise that missed the playoffs last year, including what role nine-time All-Star Russell Westbrook will play. 

Russell Westbrook, #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers, handles the ball during the season opener game against the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 18, 2022 at Chase Center in San Francisco. (Jed Jacobsohn/NBAE via Getty Images)

Westbrook has been involved in trade rumors all offseason, and first-year head coach Darvin Ham has considered bringing Westbrook off the bench to lead the second unit. 

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In LA’s preseason finale against the Sacramento Kings, Ham brought Westbrook off the bench. Westbrook, who played five minutes in the game, tweaked his hamstring and said Tuesday night that the bench role contributed to the injury. 

"Absolutely," Westbrook said when asked about the role change, according to the LA Times. "I’ve been doing the same thing for 14 years straight. Honestly, I didn’t even know what to do pregame. Being honest, I was trying to figure out how to stay warm and loose. 

Russell Westbrook, #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers, runs onto the court before the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct. 12, 2022 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

"For me, obviously the way I play the game, it’s fast-paced, quick, stop-and-go. And I just happened to, when I subbed in, I felt