The Houston Rockets received a gift on Friday in the form of an injury report, as Oklahom City point guard Russell Westbrook was diagnosed with a torn meniscus in his right knee and will need surgery, keeping him out indefinitely and forcing home to possibly miss the playoffs and he definitely will miss the rest of the first round series.
According to ESPN.com, Westbrook will undergo surgery as soon as possible and the injury occurred when Westbrook hit the hip of rookie Patrick Beverley on his knee as he was trying to get a steal in the game on Wednesday. Game 3 of the series is on Saturday and Kevin Durant will need to be the focal point for the Thunder to overcome the injury.
Jeremy Lin and James Harden surely didn't wish an injury on anyone, but the two likely are pleased that they now have a fighting chance against the Thunder. The team came close to erasing a large deficit in Game 2 and after the blowout in Game 1 the team has some confidence back and will look to get to their season average of 106 points scored when they return home on Saturday for the game.
Westbrook has never missed a game during his career and now he will be out for the playoffs in his fifth season and after playing in all 45 of the team's playoff games over the past couple years, his consecutive games streak is over. Westbrook has been averaging 24 points and seven assists in the playoffs so far and after the game he was visibly injured and the surgery now will keep him out a while. Lin had a bruised chest after Game 2 and may have missed time, but the point guard said he would be fine for the game and now will be looked at as a game changer for the Rockets as the Thunder are without Westbrook.
