OKC Thunder: Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook participate in contact portions of practice staff reports • Published: November 24, 2014 Advertisement photo - Oklahoma Citys Kevin Durant (35) and Russell Westbrook (0) play around during a time out during the NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Brooklyn Nets at the Chesapeake Energy Arena, Friday, Nov. 21, 2014. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman Oklahoma Citys Kevin Durant (35) and Russell Westbrook (0) play around during a time out during the NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Brooklyn Nets at the Chesapeake Energy Arena, Friday, Nov. 21, 2014. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman Oklahoma City Thunder coach Scott Brooks said Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook participated in the majority of the teams practice today, including some contact portions, according to The Oklahomans Darnell Mayberry and Anthony Slater. Even though both are practicing, per NBA rules regarding the hardship exception, neither is eligible to return to the lineup until Friday (vs. New York Knicks) at the earliest. Mayberry explained the hardship exception in relation to the duos return in his Saturday piece: The positives within their progression, coupled with the Thunder’s increasingly unsatisfactory record, are indications that both could return sooner than expected. It’s possible the Thunder is targeting Friday’s home game against New York for Westbrook’s return. It would be the day before his originally scheduled evaluation date. It’s also the earliest either player — or fellow injured teammates Mitch McGary and Grant Jerrett — can return due to the NBA’s hardship rules. The league granted the Thunder an additional roster spot above the maximum of 15, which the Thunder used to sign point guard Ish Smith. The supplemental spot is available in 10-day stretches, and Smith’s second 10 days expire Thanksgiving. Durant and Westbrook partcipated in some non-contact portions of Thunder practice on Saturday. The duo hasnt played together at all this season, as Durant (foot) has missed the entire regular season thus far, and Westbrook (hand) has played in just two games. The Thunder has started the season 3-12.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 00:53:07 +0000
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