Russell Westbrook suffered a fractured cheekbone on Friday night during the Oklahoma City Thunder game against the Portland Trail Blazers late in the loss. Westbrook took a knee to his head and an immediate dent was shown on the side of his head.
Due to that injury, Westbrook underwent a procedure for the injury and was expected to be out for a week. Only 5 days later, Westbrook is expected to return to the team on Wednesday night against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Following from Yahoo! Sports Adrian Wojnarowski.
After missing one game because of a facial surgery, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook will likely return Wednesday night against Philadelphia – wearing a protective mask, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
There is still a final determination to be made, but Westbrook is expected to play barring an unforeseen setback, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
Westbrook is scheduled to go through parts of the Thunder’s practice on Tuesday, a league source said.
Oklahoma City Thunder have a chance to be the first team with back to back MVP award winners with 2 different players since the 1950’s when Bob Cousy and Bill Russell won it for the Boston Celtics. Last year Kevin Durant won the MVP award for the Thunder, in part due to the loss of Westbrook for an extended period of time. Now it seems like Westbrook is a top MVP candidate this season due to Durant missing some time.
Westbrook has put up ridiculous numbers for the team as of late, including triple-doubles in his last 3 games. He’s been easily leading the Thunder since Kevin Durant was forced to take time off to perform a procedure to his foot that required surgery in the offseason.
Oklahoma City Thunder are currently in the eighth playoff spot out West, and hold a one-game lead over the New Orleans Pelicans in the Conference standings.
Westbrook’s injury could’ve been way more serious though. So it’s great to see he is coming back.
Just showed a surgeon the pic of Westbrook dent. 2 cm closer to ear, he probably wouldn't have survived…
pic.twitter.com/qIUNBC5W2P
— BBALLBREAKDOWN (@bballbreakdown) March 1, 2015
