OKC Thunder timely schedule segment worked to Russell Westbrook and team’s advantage

A beneficial schedule segment has worked in favor of the OKC Thunder and Russell Westbrook. While Russ heals the team builds chemistry and improves.

Witnessing Caris LeVert‘s injury made me feel sick to my stomach. On initial observation, it appeared he had suffered a Gordon Hayward or Paul George type injury. So, it was a huge sigh of relief learning LeVert only suffered a dislocation which wouldn’t require surgery. Many of us experienced precisely the same feeling learning Russell Westbrook had only suffered an ankle sprain and not a season-ending knee injury.

Clearly, no injury is the preference and I don’t mean to be trivial when I say “only”. Rather, when injuries can dramatically alter a player’s career or a franchise’s season or future hopes, for the least offensive result to surface twice in short order felt like a miraculous gift.

OKC Thunder are 4-1 with Westbrook out:

Including the tilt against the Knicks, Westbrook has missed five games with a single loss (Dallas).

• At Cleveland – OKC win: 95-86
• Host to Houston – OKC win: 98-80
• At Dallas – OKC loss: 96-111
• Host to Phoenix – OKC win: 118-101
• Host to New York – OKC win: 128-103

Defensive growth:

While Russ has been out and during the nine victories, there has been palpable growth defensively. Albeit, the competition hasn’t been of the top tier talent, yet it’s still affording the team minutes without core contributors for lineups to experience growth.

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Including the 111 points, Dallas amassed on OKC the Thunder allowed their opponents to score a measly 96.2 points per game average.  In a year when offenses have exploded even the 30th ranked team scores over 100 points per game (Suns – 102.2). So this type of lockdown defense is extremely encouraging.

With shots also falling and the bench hinting at their potential, it bodes well for when Russ and Roberson both return. Since Durant left OKC the reserve unit hasn’t been viable. Each time Westbrook left the game there was the worry of double-digit leads being surrendered. No lineup could score and defense was a far off vision.

If nothing else, the win streak (and five games Russ has missed) means growth potential this season is definitely achievable.

OKC can continue to exercise caution in bringing Westbrook back slowly:

Westbrook is practicing, but there is no news on whether he’s been able to participate with contact. The old adage ‘timing is everything’ aptly applies in this scenario. This because the five teams OKC have played during his time out are all in the lower to mid-tier of the Association with two more on tap (Suns, Kings) prior to a match versus an elite squad (Golden State).

Therefore, OKC can afford to exercise caution with Westbrook. Imagine how this injury could’ve affected the team had it occurred during a tough stretch of the schedule or late in the season.

For the moment, Westbrook is relegated to a cheerleading and substitute coaching role. Beat writers Erik Horne and Brett Dawson have kept fans updated on Westbrook sightings during practice and the Brodie appears to be mending well. Heck, if I’m Billy Donovan I hold him out as long as possible.

The team won’t play again until Saturday when they begin a three-game road trip. OKC will travel to Phoenix, Sacramento and Oakland. Westbrook could theoretically be held out for both the Suns and Kings games.

Odds are Westbrook won’t want to wait and the devil’s advocate view may be to have Russ return a game prior to the tilt versus nemesis Golden State to shake off the rust.