The Oklahoma City Thunder's point guard Russell Westbrook is out again after requiring arthroscopic knee surgery to alleviate swelling and he will not likely be back until the All-Star break in February.
In a statement, general manager Sam Presti said, "Russell has been playing pain free, but recently had experienced increased swelling. Presti continued, USA Today reports, "After consultation and consideration by his surgeon in Los Angeles, a plan was established to monitor the swelling."
He notes that recent MRIs showed a new "area of concern" that previous tests and MRIs had not noticed and it required surgery to help with the swelling.
According to CBS Sports, this was Westbrook's third knee surgery since the first one shortly after suffering the knee injury during the first round of the playoffs in 2013 against the Houston Rockets. A second surgery was required as the team regrouped for the upcoming season, but he only missed two games then.
Backup point guard Reggie Jackson will be starting in place of the injured Westbrook, with the ancient Derek Fisher to take the backup position. The Thunder are currently 23-5 and boast one of the best records in the league.
image: Wikimedia Commons
