Russell Westbrook Injury: Oklahoma Thunder Guard Out Indefinitely From NBA Playoffs [VIDEO]
Russell Westbrook will be out indefinitely from the 2013 NBA Playoffs, as he will have surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.
The guard suffered an injury in Game 2 of the first round of playoff series against Houston on Wednesday night when he lunged in to Patrick Beverley.
During a news conference on Friday, general manager Sam Presti said that the Thunder organization has not yet scheduled Westbrook's surgery. The team does not have an accurate timetable for his return until after the procedure was done.
"Our team as a whole, we've got a resilient group of guys, a lot of character within that locker room and a group that enjoys playing together and has been through some adversities over the last several years that they've been together. We'd expect them to adjust, come together and have different guys step in and play well collectively," Presti said.
Presti also added that the Thunder organization is disappointed for Westbrook and knows how much he wants to help lead him team to a championship title. "It's a medical decision," Presti said.
Westbrook, who is in his fifth NBA season, has never missed a game.
The NBA All-Star averaged 23.2 points, 7.4 assists, a career-high 5.2 rebounds and 1.77 steals in 82 games this season.
Fans chimed in on Twitter and expressed disappointment for Westbrook's injury.
"Wow Westbrook has to get surgery on a meniscus tear in his knee..bummer!! Prayers for speedy recovery," a fan tweeted.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson wrote: "Westbrook has never missed a HS, college or Pro game... until now. I Respect his passion. Wishing him a blessed recovery."
Game 3 of the playoff series is scheduled for Saturday night in Houston.
"I think we all know Russell. He obviously wants to play. But at the end of the day, this was a medical decision," Presti said.
