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Andre Roberson’s season is probably over. In the third quarter of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s matchup with the Detroit Pistons, Russell Westbrook attempted a lob pass to Andre Roberson that immediately took a turn for the worse. Roberson attempted to leap, but instead crashed to the hardwood and stayed there in obvious pain.
Freak accident here. Andre Roberson goes down hard after slipping. Takes a really bad bump. pic.twitter.com/4yjlGSkGXY
— Up The Thunder (@UpTheThunder) January 27, 2018
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the forward likely ruptured his left patellar tendon:
Source: Preliminary report on OKC’s Andre Roberson: ruptured patellar tendon.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 28, 2018
Sources: Andre Roberson will be examined upon return to OKC, but expectation is that he will need to undergo season-ending surgery for a ruptured patellar tendon in his left leg.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 28, 2018
The aftermath video of Roberson’s reaction gives it all away:
Andre Roberson's face tells you all you need to know about his diagnosis: Fear the worst. #Thunder pic.twitter.com/957YMcSoe2
— Carson Cunningham (@KOCOCarson) January 27, 2018
Roberson is averaging 5.0 points and 4.7 rebounds this season, but his impact on the defensive end is what the Thunder depend on from him. He’s averaging 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks this season:
Goes without saying, but man, what a shame for Andre Roberson. Was headed for a first-team All-Defense selection, and was going to have his name in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year.
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) January 28, 2018
The importance of Andre Roberson and Paul George as a defensive tandem -- George's defensive rating without Roberson: 111.2; George with Roberson: 94.2.
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) January 28, 2018
With Roberson likely done for the rest of the season, wonder if it changes OKC's trade deadline plans. Weren't anticipated to be significant buyers, but might approach it differently now.
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) January 28, 2018
Roberson’s mishap becomes yet the season-ending injury announcement in the last 24 hours. Last night, New Orleans Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins found out his season was over after tearing his Achilles injury. And Saturday afternoon, the Memphis Grizzlies announced point guard Mike Conley will miss the rest of the season with left heel surgery.
The Thunder currently stand at 28-20, No. 5 in the Western Conference.