With one second remaining in Friday night’s game between the Portland Trail Blazers and Oklahoma City Thunder, Russell Westbrook took a knee to the head from teammate Andre Roberson. The injury occurred on this play, in which Westbrook was knocked to the floor after missing a free throw and was accidentally struck as he attempted to stand back up.
The incident left a visible dent in the right side of Westbrook’s face. He was taken to local facilities for testing after the game. The test results will be known later today.
AP's Don Ryan with a good shot of Russell Westbrook's face: pic.twitter.com/2xAfRC5ukQ
— Anne M. Peterson (@AnnieMPeterson) February 28, 2015
This could really go one of three ways for Westbrook, none of which are that great. The worst case scenario is a season ending facial fracture like the one Larry Sanders sustained last year. Judging by Westbrook’s seeming lack of excruciating pain, I am inclined to think that this is unlikely. However; I am no doctor and I won’t pretend to be. This is mere conjecture at this point.
The second-worst would be an injury like the one
Rajon Rondosustained in January, which was a shockingly similar situation. While facing the Orlando Magic, Rondo fell to the floor and was kneed by teammate
Richard Jeffersonas he tried to rise up. Yet, that was a combination orbital/nasal fracture. Westbrook’s injury was closer to his Zygomatic arch (cheekbone). Rondo missed six games due to injury, but it is likely that Westbrook’s situation will be different.
The third-worst (best) case scenario would be a minor injury that he could play through while wearing a protective mask. We can probably rule out nothing being wrong since cheeks aren’t supposed to cave in on impact, so anything that Westbrook can play through is a positive at this point. How terrifying would Westbrook be in a face shield?
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No matter how this goes, we wish Westbrook the best, accompanied by a speedy recovery. He has been absolutely incredible in the month of February, earning his third consecutive triple-double last night with 40 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists. Although the Trail Blazers would benefit from more misfortune for their division rivals, gruesome injury is not how they want to gain ground.
Update:
Westbrook cheek fracture. Will miss next game. Surgery successful, per @okcthunder
— HoopsHabit (@HoopsHabit) February 28, 2015