- Patrick Beverley tries to recruit LeBron James to Minnesota: ‘The taxes are much, much lower than L.A.’
- LeBron James’ candid response when asked how many more years he has left in NBA
- LeBron James on who’d he want as teammate if going up against Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan: ‘Kobe, KD or Kyrie’
- Report: Lakers have been asking coaching candidates how they’d use Russell Westbrook
- Shaquille O’Neal calls himself and Kobe Bryant the only ‘superduo’ ever created
- Kevin Love on LeBron James’ final game: ‘I know he wants to have a Kobe-type exit where he scores 60 and does his thing’
- Robert Horry calls Damian Lillard the best clutch shooter ever over Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant
- Report: Former Lakers coach is the ‘leader’ for the Hornets coaching job
- Patrick Beverley says without hesitation that he’d like to play with LeBron James
- Report: Lakers will ‘definitely have interest’ in Doc Rivers if he’s fired by 76ers
Report: Lakers upgrade Russell Westbrook’s status ahead of game vs. Timberwolves
- Updated: December 17, 2021

Russell Westbrook has been upgraded to available for Friday’s matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Lakers just made it official that Russell Westbrook has been upgraded to available for tonight's game against the T'Wolves.
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) December 17, 2021
Westbrook was placed in the league’s health and safety protocols on Thursday. The Lakers have had multiple players enter in the league’s protocols recently, including Avery Bradley, Talen Horton-Tucker, Dwight Howard and Malik Monk.
Westbrook has not missed a game for the Lakers who have been plagued with injuries this season. He is averaging 19.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.4 assists per game for Los Angeles.
The Lakers have won their past three games and seven of their past 10 games after a bumpy start to the season. Los Angeles is currently 16-13.
The Lakers defeated the Dallas Mavericks in overtime on Wednesday, 107-104. Westbrook finished with 23 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in the win over the Mavericks.
After Friday’s matchup against the Timberwolves, the Lakers will face the Chicago Bulls on the road on Sunday. Los Angeles will have three home games in a row following Sunday’s matchup with Chicago, including matchups with the Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets.