It's one thing after another for the Thunder, and it's not stopping any time soon. After logging his third straight triple-double in Friday's 115-112 loss to the Trail Blazers, Russell Westbrook also suffered a fracture of his zygomatic arch in his face (which caused a dent -- ouch). He had surgery Saturday and will be re-evaluated later this week.
It's a good news-bad news deal for Oklahoma City. On the one hand, with Kevin Durant set to be re-evaluated after his foot procedure Sunday, OKC could get KD back later in the week (maybe the same time as Westbrook's return) but for a few games they're likely going to be without both stars. Again. Every time OKC starts to build some momentum, as they did earlier in the month in taking possession of the No. 8 seed, misfortune befalls them this season.
OKC's lead for the eighth seed ballooned and then shrunk again with their back to back losses Thursday and Friday. They're only one game up on both the Suns and the Pelicans, who are both also dealing with challenges. The Pelicans are without Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday and Ryan Anderson, and the Suns just traded three point guards. But Phoenix's nightmarish February schedule is over, and while they still play in the West -- still making most nights brutal -- they have an easier stretch coming up.
So yeah, OKC losing their two MVP candidates, even for a week, might be the straw that breaks the back. It probably won't be, but it contributes to the drama. Even so, the Thunder have to be grateful it wasn't worse. The way this season has gone, a minor surgery that will wind up requiring Westbrook to wear an orbital mask (and you can only imagine the designs on that thing) is nothing at this point. If their guys can walk, they've caught a break.
This is a week, and Westbrook can get back, they can get KD back, and go on a run to blast their way to the eighth seed. That's the most likely scenario. But every single time it looks like OKC has finally escaped the quicksand this season, the branch pulling them out snaps. Teams say adversity breeds toughness, helps them in the playoffs when things get difficult. If that's the case, and OKC can make it to the postseason, they're going to be like John McClain in "Die Hard."
Yippee-Ki-Yay.
