Russell Westbrook To Have Knee Surgery, Will Likely Miss Playoffs
Dan Evon
The NBA playoffs just got a little less dynamic. Oklahoma City Thunder star Russell Westbrook will undergo knee surgery and will likely miss the remainder of the playoffs.
General manager Sam Presti said that the surgery has not been scheduled yet and there that there is no timetable set for Westbrook's return.
Presti said: "Our team is disappointed for Russell. We know what kind of competitor he is, how much he wants to be out there, but it's a medical decision… Our team as a whole, we've got a resilient group of guys, a lot of character within that locker room and a group that enjoys playing together and has been through some adversities over the last several years that they've been together. We'd expect them to adjust, come together and have different guys step in and play well collectively."
ESPN reports that Westbrook has never missed a game in his five years in the NBA. Until his recent injury, Westbrook played in 394 consecutive regular-season games.
Presti added: "Our players' health is our first and foremost concern. The Thunder's medical team and several specialists we consulted with determined that Russell undergo a procedure to address the issue."
Yahoo Sports reports that it is possible that Westbrook returns this post-season. It's not likely and the Thunder would have to advance a few rounds to give Westbrook a chance but he hasn't been ruled out completely.
One source close to OKC's Russell Westbrook on whether he could return from meniscus tear in this postseason: "Maybe."
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) April 26, 2013
Y! Story: OKC's Russell Westbrook could return within weeks — not months — depending on course of knee procedure. tinyurl.com/cs936rq
Westbrook was injured during the Thunder's game against the Houston Rockets last night. Westbrook was bringing the ball up when Rockets guard Patrick Beverley lunged for a steal.