Thunder superstar Russell Westbrook ‘progressing’ with knee surgery recovery

In the weeks leading up to training camp and the preseason, Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

Since then, he has taken steps forward in his recovery from the operation over the last month. According to Royce Young of ESPN, head coach Billy Donovan has voiced that the Thunder guard is getting closer to his return but has yet to be cleared for full contact in practice.

Russell Westbrook is “progressing” and getting nearer to a return, Oklahoma City Thunder coach Billy Donovan said Thursday, but has not been cleared for full-contact practice yet, leaving the All-Star point guard’s status for the season opener in question.

Westbrook had his surgically-repaired knee checked earlier this week and has been taking part in some on-court activities. However, he still needs to get back a few hurdles before a return date can be discussed.

There has been no rush for Westbrook to get back on the court given his importance to their long-term future. There is also the fact that he has previously undergone major knee surgery and possible setbacks on that front could prove to be quite costly.

Westbrook is set to enter the first year of his five-year, $206.7 million deal that runs through the 2022-23 season. The 29-year-old is coming off another highly productive campaign where he averaged a triple-double for the second time posting 25.4 points with 10.3 assists and 10.1 rebounds per contest, which he and Oscar Robertson are the only players in league history to reach that feat in a single season.