Thunder guard Russell Westbrook to undergo surgery for meniscus tear

Russell Westbrook will sit indefinitely for a meniscus tear in his right knee. (John W. McDonough/SI) Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook will
Thunder guard Russell Westbrook to undergo surgery for meniscus tear
Thunder guard Russell Westbrook to undergo surgery for meniscus tear /

Russell Westbrook will sit indefinitely for a meniscus tear in his right knee. (John W. McDonough/SI)

Russell Westbrook

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook will undergo surgery for a meniscus tear in his right knee, the team announced Friday.

Westbrook is out indefinitely and there is no timetable for his return. Westbrook has never previously missed a game in his four NBA seasons.

Westbrook was injured in the second quarter of Game 2 in their first-round series with the Houston Rockets when Rockets guard Patrick Beverley lunged into him trying for a steal and his hip collided with Westbrook's knee.

Westbrook was obviously upset and limped around for a couple of minutes but stayed in the game. Westbrook ending up playing 37 minutes, scoring 29 points to go along with five rebounds, four assists and four steals.

The Thunder went on to win the game 105-102 to take a 2-0 series lead. Game 3 is Saturday night in Houston.

"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,” said Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti. “We have thoroughly discussed this with Russell. Despite being the competitor and teammate that he is, he respects and understands the decision and is committed to come back even stronger."


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