Russell Westbrook's return could happen soon after missing weeks due to a hand injury.

The 2017 MVP has been out since March 1 after leaving the game against the Washington Wizards in the second quarter.

He was immediately diagnosed with a fractured left hand and underwent surgery.

He is primed for a return as the league enters a crucial stretch.

"Los Angeles Clippers guard Russell Westbrook is expected to return to the lineup next week - perhaps as soon as Monday vs. the Indiana Pacers, sources tell ESPN. Westbrook - one of the league's top sixth men - had surgery to repair a fractured left hand three weeks ago," ESPN writer and NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported.

Westbrook has missed more than two weeks so far. The Clippers went 6-5 without him, including defeats to above .500 teams like the Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, and New Orleans Pelicans.

Before he went out, the Los Angeles Clippers had climbed to the No. 1 spot in the Western Conference standings from the 11th spot.

Clippers enter a crucial stretch

The LA Clippers dropped to fourth spot in the West after a 6-5 run in March. They could still go down to the Play-In if things get terrible for them.

Westbrook's return means better bench reinforcement for the team, as Bones Hyland is barely filling up the hole he left.

Before going down, Brodie averaged 11.1 points per game, 5.1 rpg, and 4.4 apg and was among the top candidates for the Sixth Man of the Year award.

The team has 14 games left, including ones that could determine their fate in the playoffs.

They are set to meet Western rivals Sacramento Kings, the Denver Nuggets, and the Phoenix Suns (twice) in the last two weeks of the regular season.