Fansided

Thunder guard Russell Westbrook returns to practice

By Brad Rowland

Oct 20, 2013; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook (0) and Thunder small forward Kevin Durant (35) watch action late in the game against the Utah Jazz at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2013; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook (0) and Thunder small forward Kevin Durant (35) watch action late in the game against the Utah Jazz at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 20, 2013; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook (0) and Thunder small forward Kevin Durant (35) watch action late in the game against the Utah Jazz at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2013; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook (0) and Thunder small forward Kevin Durant (35) watch action late in the game against the Utah Jazz at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Just three weeks after All-NBA guard Russell Westbrook suffered a severe setback in his return to the court, the Oklahoma City Thunder guard has returned to the practice court.

According to Anthony Slater of the Oklahoman (and later confirmed by the team), Westbrook was a participant in practice on Monday for the Thunder, but he did not take part in the full workload. However, Slater reports that Westbrook was seen dunking during the workout, and he even quoted OKC guard Reggie Jackson (who happens to be the starter at point guard in Russell’s absence) saying this about Westbrook:

"“One of the dunks (today), he went up and looked like the old Russell, plus some, head at the rim.”"

That type of first-hand account sends chills to the spine of an NBA diehard, and the league is unquestionably better when Russell Westbrook is in it. It should be noted that his appearance in practice in no way assures an earlier return (he was originally projected to miss at least a month of regular season time), but it certainly isn’t a downgrade for Westbrook.

We will continue to monitor practice accounts to see whenOKC will have the services of their 2nd-best player, but today was a good day for Thunder supporters.

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