Clippers’ Westbrook has surgery on broken hand

LA Clippers guard Russell Westbrook — one of the NBA’s top sixth men — underwent surgery on his fractured left hand on Monday, and there’s hope he’ll return before the start of the Western Conference playoffs in April, sources told ESPN.

Westbrook fractured his non-shooting hand in a Friday night victory over the visiting Washington Wizards. He will now start rehabilitation to return to the Clippers, who have emerged as a championship contender this season.

Westbrook returned in less than four weeks after fracturing his right hand in 2014 with Oklahoma City, missing only 14 games.

If Westbrook returns in April, the Clippers will have eight games in 14 days, including two back-to-backs, before the playoffs begin.

The Clippers will have to find a way to replace Westbrook’s energy and aggression. After Westbrook left the first half of Friday’s win over Washington with the injury, reserve guard Bones Hyland saw his most playing time since early November. He logged 16 minutes against Washington and 14 minutes on Sunday against Minnesota.

Westbrook came into the season as the starting point guard. But the Clippers acquired James Harden in a trade late on Oct. 30, and after a six-game losing streak, Westbrook made the move to come off the bench in an attempt to help things flow better between their four stars on the court.

The Clippers went 35-13 after that with Westbrook coming off the bench. He’s averaged 11.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists for the Clippers this season.

The Clippers entered Monday night’s game against the Bucks 39-20 and fourth in the Western Conference.

ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk contributed to this report.