Russell Westbrook Stats Tonight: How did Nuggets star fare against Atlanta Hawks? (Jan. 1)

Russell Westbrook and the Denver Nuggets faced the Atlanta Hawks for the second time this season on Wednesday. After beating the Hawks 141-111 in early December, the Nuggets hoped to sweep the season series.

With Aaron Gordon still out, Nuggets coach Mike Malone continued to start the former MVP. Westbrook played four minutes early in the first quarter before Malone took him out for Julian Strawther. Brodie finished the period without a point but had two assists. Denver led 40-33 after the first quarter.

Westbrook played longer in the second quarter and responded well on both ends. He helped the Denver Nuggets take a 74-71 halftime lead with 11 points and six assists in the period.

Russell Westbrook continued to impact the game with his scoring, playmaking and hustle in the third quarter. The former OKC Thunder star ran the offense with Nikola Jokic, giving the Denver Nuggets their most impressive stretch in the game. Denver won the quarter 41-24 to lead 115-95 entering the fourth quarter.

Mike Malone kept Westbrook on the bench the entire fourth quarter as the Nuggets rolled to a comfortable 139-120 win. He finished the game with 16 points, 11 assists and two rebounds.

Player	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	FG	3-PT FG	FT	+/-
Russell Westbrook	16	2	11	0	0	2	5-6	1-2	5-5	+24

---

Russell Westbrook has played well when he starts for the Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets signed Russell Westbrook in the offseason to give the team a boost off the bench. Denver, which often struggles in non-Nikola Jokic minutes, hoped the former MVP would give them a spark when the reigning MVP rests.

Injuries to Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray, however, have forced Mike Malone to insert the Triple-Double king into the starting lineup. When he starts, Westbrook has played well. Brodie is averaging 13.7 points, 8.6 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game when he lines up for tip-off.

The Denver Nuggets are 9-2 when Westbrook is part of the starting lineup. When Gordon returns, the point guard likely returns to the bench. But, Malone knows he might have to give Westbrook minutes as a starter because of the team's success.