Russell Westbrook is ng in on a return from injury according to Oklahoma City's head coach Billy Donovan. The former MVP's status is unclear for the Thunder's 2018-2019 NBA season opener. Westbrook has yet to partake in a single full-contact practice but is nonetheless been around the team in several other capacities.
"Every day for him, he feels better and better," said coach Donovan. "I don't want to say (whether he'll be ready). I know you guys want to know that, but that's too far out and there will be a lot of things that will go into that decision."
Westbrook underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in the second week of September. The Thunder guard has a history of picking up nagging knee injuries that require surgery, beginning in the 2013 Western Conference Finals when he collided with then-Rockets' guard Patrick Beverly. From that point onward, Russell Westbrook has undergone a series of periodic spot checks. Curiously, every time Russell Westbrook rehabs one of his ailing body parts, it comes back even stronger.
Luckily, if Russell Westbrook is unfit to suit up during OKC's initial road trip, Dennis Schroder acquired in the offseason, can fill his shoes momentarily. We'll keep you up to speed on his status heading into next Tuesday's matchup against the Golden State Warriors.