First Derrick Rose. Then Rajon Rondo. Then Russell Westbrook, and Rose again.
Now, Westbrook re-joins the list of explosive point guards shelved by knee injuries. He will be out at least through the All-Star break after undergoing his third surgery in eight months on his right knee, the Oklahoma City Thunder announced Friday. The latest arthroscopic procedure, which was performed Friday, is again related to the torn meniscus he suffered during the first round of last year’s playoffs.
Westbrook had been playing pain-free but recently experienced swelling, Thunder general manager Sam Presti said in a statement. The point guard has been on a schedule of regular MRIs, and the most recent MRI found an “area of concern,” according to a news release. After consulting with Westbrook’s surgeon in Los Angeles, the team determined another surgery was necessary.
After tearing his lateral meniscus in his right knee in Game 2 of Oklahoma City’s first-round series against the Houston Rockets, Westbrook initially underwent surgery April 27 to repair the meniscus. He required a second procedure Oct. 1 to correct a loose stitch from the first surgery. He was expected to miss the first month and a half of the season, but returned to the court for OKC’s third regular-season game.
Westbrook is averaging 21.3 points, 7.0 assists and 6.0 rebounds per game this season. He posted a triple-double, the seventh of his career, in the Thunder’s victory over the Knicks on Christmas.
