The Oklahoma City Thunder will be without star guard Russell Westbrook until after the all-star break as Westbrook has undergone another arthroscopic surgery on his troublesome right knee. It is the third such procedure on the knee for Westbrook since he tore meniscus in the knee last April.
”He will be missed,” head coach Scott Brooks said before Oklahoma City’s game Friday night against Charlotte. ‘‘Obviously we are a very good team with him, and without him we’re still going to be a very good team.”
The need for more surgical intervention was only seen recently. Westbrook had been playing pain free, but had some increased swelling and pain after recent games.
”After consultation and consideration by his surgeon in Los Angeles, a plan was established to monitor the swelling that included a series of scheduled MRIs,” Thunder general manager Sam Presti said in a press release. ”On the most recent MRI it was determined by the surgeon that there was an area of concern that had not previously existed, nor was detectable in the previous procedures, and it was necessary to evaluate Russell further. The consulting physician determined that arthroscopic surgery was necessary to address the swelling that was taking place.”
In 25 games this season, the 25-year-old Westbrook is averaging 21.3 points, 7.0 assists, and 6.0 rebounds per game. He is a key to the Oklahoma City offence and has helped lead the team to winning 10 of its last 11 games and second place in the Northwest Division, just 1/2 game behind the Portland Trailblazers.
Overall the Thunder are 21-3 with Westbrook in the lineup and 2-2 without him. He will miss 27 games if he plays the first game back after the all-star break.
In Westbrook’s absence, Reggie Jackson will start at point guard, and Jeremy Lamb will see increased playing time off the bench.
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