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Royce Young of ESPN.com has reported that Thunder guard Russell Westbrook has had an arthroscopic surgery on his right knee as a preemptive maintenance procedure.
Russell Westbrook underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee today after feeling some stiffness in the last week. It's a preemptive "maintenance" procedure. He'll be re-evaluated in four weeks, which could force him to miss the preseason.
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) September 12, 2018
If cleared after four weeks, Westbrook could be back for the opener against the Warriors on Oct. 16, but obviously there will be no rush for him to play.
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) September 12, 2018
If Westbrook is forced to miss any time leading into the regular season, it’s probably best that it’s in the first week of two of the season. The Thunder only play two playoff projected teams (Golden State & Boston) in their first 7 games.
Of note, this is the same knee that Westbrook has had operated on 3 times previous, as noted here by Ben Golliver. The last procedure came in December of 2013.
Believe this is at least the fourth different procedure Westbrook has had on the same knee. Something to monitor, considering he's in the first year of a five-year contract extension worth more than $200 million. https://t.co/alyLe1W9AH
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) September 12, 2018