Russell Westbrook likely suspended against Blazers

With 5:56 remaining in the fourth quarter of Sundays Pacers-Thunder game, Westbrook was called for a technical foul. It was for arguing following a questionable defensive foul call on Russ. Russ had basically just run into Scola as scola was setting a screen, and it really could have gone either way. Westbrook pleaded against the technical with the ref after it was called. In the process of pleading, Russ covered his mouth with his jersey and put his arm around the ref.

The technical is Westbrook's 16th on the season. Should the technical stand, that will be the maximum allowed per player per season. As such, Westbrook will be automatically suspended for Monday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. That game is the second to last game of the season for the Thunder, and will be undoubtedly critical in OKC's race for the 8th seed.

Expect D.J. Augustin to start at point guard in Westbrook's place. Augustin will likely see the lion's share of minutes, as well as run the offense. Meanwhile Dion Waiters, Jeremy Lamb, Kyle Singler, and Anthony Morrow all could see shots at running the offense.