Thunder's Westbrook out, needs knee surgery

[Scurrilous]

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"All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook will have surgery to repair cartilage in his right knee and be out indefinitely, dealing a harsh blow to the Oklahoma City Thunder's championship chances.

General manager Sam Presti said Friday that the Thunder had not yet scheduled Westbrook's surgery and would not have an accurate timeline for his return until after the procedure was done. No one would rule out Westbrook's possible return if Oklahoma City keeps advancing in the playoffs, and All-Star teammate Kevin Durant only said his teammates ''hope'' Westbrook can play again this postseason.

''We're not trying to rush him or bring him back ahead of schedule. We want to make sure he's healthy and his knee is right,'' Durant said. ''That's our only concern with it right now. ... We have to come together as a team and worry about the basketball. All he has to worry about is him getting healthy.''

The three-time All-Star was hurt in Game 2 of the Thunder's playoff series against Houston on Wednesday night. Rookie Patrick Beverley lunged for a steal in the second quarter and his hip collided with Westbrook's knee.

Beverley called Westbrook's injury ''unfortunate'' and said Oklahoma City is still dangerous without him."

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/thunders-westbrook-needs-knee-surgery-165015437.html

[Scurrilous]

1. Russell Westbrook to miss playoffs

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"Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook underwent knee surgery Saturday to repair a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee and will miss the rest of the playoffs.

The team said Saturday that Westbrook would begin rehab immediately and that a timetable for his return to the court will be determined in the offseason. The surgery was performed at the Stedman Clinic in Vail, Colo.

"Although we are of course disappointed that Russell will be unable to return to the floor with his teammates this season, the opportunity to repair the meniscus as opposed to remove it was the best possible scenario for Russell's long term health as a player and person," Thunder executive vice president and general manager Sam Presti said in a statement. "Russell's health and well being are obviously our number one priority through this process and today's procedure helped solidify our belief that Russell will have many productive years of basketball in his future."

Westbrook was hurt when rookie Patrick Beverley tried for a steal in the second quarter of Game 2 and ran into his knee.

Coach Scott Brooks said Saturday at the team's shootaround that Reggie Jackson would start for Westbrook later in the evening in Game 3 of the best-of-seven series, which the Thunder lead 2-0."

http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2013/story/_/id/9218035/russell-westbrook-oklahoma-city-thunder-undergoes-knee-surgery