It’s not so much that the Oklahoma City Thunder is already without Kevin Durant. It’s that Durant’s sweet-shooting reserve, Anthony Morrow, is also injured. It’s that his potential perimeter complement, hybrid guard Reggie Jackson, is nursing an ankle injury. It’s that James Harden’s hoped-for replacement, Jeremy Lamb, is out with a bad back.
Now, another dagger. We’re not yet aware of the severity of the injury, MRIs and x-rays have yet to be administered, but All-Star point man Russell Westbrook had to leave Thursday night’s Thunder/Los Angeles Clipper game with an injured right hand.
Here’s how it happened:
It’s unclear if Westbrook hurt the hand while bashing it into Kendrick Perkins’ thigh, or if the hand was caught in Perkins’ uniform. He may have injured himself while driving on Clippers reserve guard Jordan Farmar, as well. Whatever the spark, Westbrook had to leave the game after just 8:43 of frustrating play – he dished four assists, but turned the ball over three times, picked up two fouls, and missed two of three shots from the field.
Anything is worth guessing at this point. RW could have a dislocated finger, common amongst injuries that see players get their hands caught in someone’s uniform. It could be as simple as a contusion, or as severe as a break. What we do know is that Westbrook spent the rest of his team’s second game of the season with a massive wrap and ice pack surrounding his aching shooting hand, as the severely undermanned Thunder attempted to keep up with a buoyant Los Angeles Clippers squad. Seven players on the active roster were inactive on Thursday, following Westbrook's injury.
Nearly as annoying was Westbrook’s exit – we’re not sure of the details, but he took offense to either a thrown object or an uncalled-for heckle while leaving the Staples Center court. TNT’s David Aldridge later reported that the fan, thankfully, was denied a chance to see the second half of the contest.
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Kelly Dwyer is an editor for Ball Don't Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at KDonhoops@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @KDonhoops
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