In the OKC Thunder win against the Pelicans, Westbrook suffered a left ankle injury. Following the game his teammates responded to the injury and how the team will adjust.
In the third quarter of Monday’s win over the Pelicans, Westbrook was helped off the court after landing on his left ankle awkwardly while going for a rebound. The OKC Thunder reacted to the injury and plan on adjusting accordingly.
Here's the play Russell Westbrook rolled his ankle on. Westbrook limped straight to the locker room following the injury. #Thunder pic.twitter.com/PzcXJc77Fg
— Dylan Buckingham (@DylanBuckingham) November 6, 2018
Head coach Billy Donovan was the first to address the media regarding the ugly ankle injury suffered by Westbrook. According to Royce Young per Twitter, Donovan has confirmed that it is a left ankle sprain and there is no additional information on the severity or his time frame for return.
After the game, the media reached out to Paul George and Steven Adams concerning the injury. Westbrook’s teammates seemed to take different approaches in regard to his injury.
Paul George, who has gone through a gruesome injury himself, expressed his relief for the type of injury Westbrook suffered, saying he’s glad that it was an ankle injury compared to a much more serious knee injury.
Paul George on what went through his mind when he saw Russell Westbrook limp off: pic.twitter.com/nRDtuZRNvY
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) November 6, 2018
On the contrary, Steven Adams seemed more distraught about the situation than hopeful. While showing emotions (through the use of some bad words), Adams tells how he mainly feels bad for Westbrook and that’s all that is to it.
Thunder fans are hoping that Westbrook, being the durable player he is, can bounce back from this quickly and stronger than ever.
In the mean time, this gives another opportunity to Dennis Schröder to be the primary ball handler for OKC’s starting rotation.
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Schröder, who has been excellent off the bench this year averaging 15.4 points per game with 5.6 assists, had two chances to prove his starting potential at the beginning of this season with Westbrook out due to a knee injury.
Sadly, he wasn’t able to lead the Thunder to their first win of the season without Westbrook.
Westbrook’s absence also gives veteran point guard, Raymond Felton, a chance to lead the bench unit.
Last year, Felton was an average backup point guard, but has lost valuable minutes with the addition of Dennis Schröder.