Russell Westbrook Upbeat After Hand Surgery

By Ed Carroll | Nov 9, 2014

Oct 21, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts to a play in action against the Utah Jazz during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook has tried to remain positive after surgery on his injured right hand, and he and his shelved teammate, NBA star Kevin Durant, have been motivating the Thunder from the bench.

Russell Westbrook is still expected to miss four-to-six weeks with a broken right hand, but the Oklahoma City Thunder point guard is trying to remain upbeat a week after surgery, and head coach Scott Brooks said Westbrook and fellow injured teammate Kevin Durant have been great motivators for the team off the bench.

More from Kevin Durant

“[Westbrook] and [Durant] are incredible encouragers during games,” Brooks said. “They are cheering every possession and they get on guys during huddles when needed. They’re involved, they’re engaged, they want to make an impact while they’re not playing, and that’s good to see.”

Personally, I wish “professional encourager” were an actual job, because that sounds sweet. But it is good to see the Thunder haven’t given up hope on the season yet, particularly with how early it is in the year.

Westbrook said the injury wouldn’t keep him down for long.

“It was frustrating for me, but it’ll be all right,” he said of hurting his hand. “I’ll get back to where I was at.”

More from FanSided

Home/Kevin Durant