IFWT_westbrook_durant

When Kevin Durant suffered a foot fracture during the preseason, the timeline for his recovery was initially reported as being six to eight weeks.  When Russell Westbrook suffered a hand fracture in the second game of the season, the timetable for him to return was projected as being four to six weeks.  That time is finally up, both Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook could return to the lineup next week.

Shay Marie

Both players were seen getting shots up as reporters were allowed into Friday’s shootaround, and are expected to take place in parts of Saturday’s practice — with a return to the court to follow in the not-too-distant future.

From Anthony Slater of The Oklahoman:

Wearing a protective splint, Westbrook dribbled and shot with his surgically repaired right hand. Durant, meanwhile, rose off his surgically repaired right foot for a pair of easy dunks. …

And the positive injury news didn’t stop there. Brooks also revealed that the two superstars will participate in parts of Thunder practice on Saturday afternoon — the first team work for either since their injuries.

“Probably not any of the contact stuff,” Brooks said. “(But) they will go through some of our practice and we’ll go from there.”

The two seem to be healing at an accelerated rate and a return by the end of next week – particularly for Westbrook – isn’t out of the question.

The Thunder are currently in last place in the Western Conference standings, five and a half games out of the playoffs.

ProBasketballTalk