Kevin Durant says Russell Westbrook will play Thursday against Miami Heat

Dec 21, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) celebrates a score with forward Kevin Durant (3right) during the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center. The Thunder won 113-100. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook has missed the last 27 games because of his knee injury. His last outing was on Christmas Day against the New York Knicks. Westbrook messed around and got a triple double, scoring 14 points, grabbing 13 rebounds and dishing out 10 assists in just 29 minutes, helping the Thunder to a 123-94 blowout victory.

The next day it was revealed that Westbrook reinjured his knee that kept him out of much of the postseason last year.

There have been rumors that Westbrook would return after the All-Star break and star forward Kevin Durant confirmed that Westbrook would play when the Thunder host the Miami Heat Thursday night.

“Next game right after the All-Star break, against Miami,” Durant said of Westbrook’s timetable in an interview with Grantland’s Bill Simmons.

The Thunder have played very well without Westbrook and have 43-12 record, tops in the NBA.

However, the Thunder will need Westbrook if they plan to finally break through and win an NBA Championship.

Before the injury, Westbrook was averaging 21.3 points, 7.0 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game.

The Thunder and Heat will tip-off at 8:00 pm EST Thursday and the game is on ESPN.

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