Russell Westbrook Back Practicing With the OKC Thunder


Reggie Jackson reports that Russell Westbrook is jumping better than ever. Westbrook is practicing for the first time since training camp began — he was shut down for the season’s first 4-6 weeks, having undergone arthroscopic right knee surgery on October 1. Per the Oklahoman: “Kendrick Perkins, returning from a dislocated left ring finger, was back and is expected to play Tuesday against Phoenix. But the headliner was All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook, who participated in on-court drills with the team for the first time since he had arthroscopic surgery earlier this month. […] In recent weeks, Westbrook has been seen on the court during the portion of practice open to the media, going through light workouts with the Thunder training staff. But on Monday, he apparently amped it up. And even in that brief setting, Reggie Jackson, the man who is replacing Westbrook in the starting lineup, seemed to be impressed. ‘Oh, man. Russell today…’ Jackson said when asked how Westbrook looked, cracking a sly smile. ‘It’s actually funny. My brother and his brother talk a little before games. His brother told mine that Russell’s probably bouncing better than ever. I had to see it to believe it. One of the dunks (today), he went up and looked like the old Russell, plus some, head at the rim. We’ll be happy when he gets back fully healthy, but it’s good to see him with a smile on his face, being about the team, bouncing back and happy to be back on the court.’ […] ‘He’s doing drill work, not necessarily too much contact,’ Jackson continued. ‘His approach is to get better every day, rehab. He’s been the ultimate professional when it comes to that, so we’ll be happy when he gets back. We want him to have a speedy recovery, but most importantly a full recovery.'”