Reigning league MVP Russell Westbrook was notably absent from the Oklahoma City Thunder' preseason opener on Tuesday night as he's still recovering from an offseason platelet-rich-plasma injection just prior to the start of training camp.
The Thunder have been cautious with the recovery process with Westbrook, but his teammate Paul George believes that he will take the floor on Friday night against the New Orleans Pelicans, according to Erik Horne of The Oklahoman.
Paul George says he thinks Russell Westbrook is playing tonight. But he’s just Paul George, and not a doctor, and he’s not Westbrook, so … pic.twitter.com/hod9qcYxhC
— Erik Horne (@ErikkHorne) October 6, 2017
Although George is quite optimistic about Westbrook taking the floor for the first time in the preseason, it is ultimately up to the team doctors if they deem him medically cleared to participate. The Thunder may continue to take the precautionary route given his past history with leg injuries as he's only a few years removed from a torn meniscus and would use that as a guideline in order to avoid any setbacks.
If he's able to take the floor, it will give Oklahoma City a chance to see how its new trio of Westbrook, George, and Carmelo Anthony can operate on the floor together. At this point, it's still a mystery as to whether they can become an efficient and effective offensive team playing each other.
There is certainly much excitement about what may come from these newly formed big three, but the Thunder and Westbrook are more than comfortable with being patient with his recovery from the minor procedure.
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