As he crossed center court on defense, Russell Westbrook looked over to Thunder bench and signaled to his left hand.
When the ball went back to the Thunder, Westbrook walked over and had trainer Joe Sharpe cut off the black wrap, similar to the adhesive Steven Adams now customarily wears on his right hand. Westbrook couldn't take it anymore.
Even with it on, in the opening minutes of the Thunder's 114-101 win over Phoenix on Saturday, Westbrook set the pace for the Thunder's offense masterfully with his passing.
“He had his fingerprints all over the game by just really being focused and reading what was going on,” Donovan said.