HoopsHype.com Rumors

Russell Westbrook: Been a long day ,but want to thank everyone for phone calls, text messages ,and tweets during this tough time. I really appreciate it .. Twitter @russwest44

Oklahoma City Thunder, Injuries, Russell Westbrook 

Beverley plays fast and faster, plays forward with the desperation of an unmistakable truth that hangs over him like the basketball reaper: He doesn't want to go back. "I want to go against Russell Westbrook again and battle him again," Beverley told Yahoo! Sports by phone on Friday evening. "I didn't try to hurt him, but that play was something I've tried in the past, a play that worked against the Suns earlier in the season – and it's a play that I'm going to continue to try again." Yahoo! Sports

Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Injuries, Russell Westbrook, Patrick Beverley 

While both Raymond Felton and Pablo Prigioni expressed sympathy for Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, neither of the Knicks’ point guards felt his potentially season-ending knee injury was the result of a dirty play. Westbrook, the All-Star point guard for the top-seeded Thunder, suffered a torn meniscus when he collided with Houston's Patrick Beverley as Westbrook was attempting to call timeout. “He wasn't trying to hurt him,” Felton said. “It's unfortunate. He was just trying to make a play.” New York Daily News

New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Raymond Felton, Injuries, Russell Westbrook, Patrick Beverley 

Kendrick Perkins: Just landed it that Htown. I hate to lose Russ. We go get this win tomorrow night for the Lil homie. We got empty out the clip tomorrow. Twitter @KendrickPerkins

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kendrick Perkins, Russell Westbrook 

Steve Aschburner: Have heard 2 NBA coaches, asked about Westbrook & this yr's playoffs, say, "You know who he works out w. in summer, right? Derrick Rose." Twitter @AschNBA

Chicago Bulls, Oklahoma City Thunder, Derrick Rose, Injuries, Russell Westbrook 

Kevin Arnovitz: Tayshaun Prince on the play that sidelined Westbrook: "I’m pretty sure the Oklahoma City fans will be pretty pissed off at Beverley." Twitter @kevinarnovitz

Oklahoma City Thunder, Injuries, Russell Westbrook, Tayshaun Prince 

Speaking to reporters after shootaround on Friday, Beverley made it clear that he had no intention of trying to injure Westbrook. “Unfortunate situation, of course,” he said. “You hate to see the type of player like that go out with an injury like that. But the Thunder are still a good team, and we have to prepare for a good team right now.” Beverley was asked where he made contact with Westbrook, but said he hasn’t seen a replay of the incident. “I don’t even remember,” he said. “I haven’t really seen it yet. I really don’t watch ESPN like that, so I haven’t see it yet. But like I said, it’s definitely unfortunate. I was definitely looking forward to playing Westbrook again and battling again. It’s just an unfortunate situation.” NBCSports.com

Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Injuries, Russell Westbrook, Patrick Beverley 

Russell Westbrook will undergo surgery to repair a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee, the Thunder announced on Friday. The team said it would not set a timetable for his return until after the surgery, which was not scheduled yet. The All-Star guard has never missed a game during his five-year career. “Our players’ health is our first and foremost concern,” Thunder general manager Sam Presti said in a prepared statement. “The Thunder’s medical team and several specialists we consulted with determined that Russell undergo a procedure to address the issue. We have thoroughly discussed this with Russell. Despite being the competitor and teammate that he is, he respects and understands the decision and is committed to come back even stronger. Certainly Russell is a leader and core player for this team, but we are in the midst of the playoffs and I know other players are determined to step up and contribute. We have a resilient group of players who have always taken pride in playing as a team and that approach will continue.” SI.com

Oklahoma City Thunder, Injuries, Russell Westbrook 

Coach Scott Brooks claimed after Westbrook missed practice Thursday that Westbrook would be "fine tomorrow," but the team found out differently Friday morning. "Our team as a whole, we've got a resilient group of guys, a lot of character within that locker room and a group that enjoys playing together and has been through some adversities over the last several years that they've been together. We'd expect them to adjust, come together and have different guys step in and play well collectively," Presti said. ESPN.com

Oklahoma City Thunder, Injuries, Russell Westbrook 

Westbrook is "irate," with Beverley, a league source told Yahoo! Sports. Yahoo! Sports

Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Injuries, Russell Westbrook, Patrick Beverley 

Howard Chen: Beverley says Westbrook injury unfortunate. "I wasn't trying to hurt anybody." Says it was not intentional at all. #RedNation #NBAPlayoffs Twitter @ho_chenCSN

Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Injuries, Russell Westbrook, Patrick Beverley 

The meniscus tear is considered to be minimal – perhaps 2 percent of the meniscus, one source said – and Westbrook's recovery could be weeks instead of months, if the doctor decides to simply "clean up" the meniscus. A full repair of the meniscus would likely mean a three-month recovery for Westbrook. Yahoo! Sports

Oklahoma City Thunder, Injuries, Russell Westbrook 

The Thunder and Westbrook don't want to risk anything with the long-term stability of his knee, sources said, and aren't pushing for the short-term solution over the longer-term procedure. Yahoo! Sports

Oklahoma City Thunder, Injuries, Russell Westbrook 

Daniel Gibson: Westbrook has never missed a HS, college or Pro game... until now. I Respect his passion. Wishing him a blessed recovery. Twitter @BooBysWorld1

Oklahoma City Thunder, Injuries, Russell Westbrook 

Kendrick Perkins: And Russ and KD should be on first team all NBA period Twitter @KendrickPerkins

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Kendrick Perkins, Russell Westbrook 

Jim Eichenhofer: Greivis Vasquez said he plans to work out in Los Angeles this summer with Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose. All 3 players have same agent Twitter @Jim_Eichenhofer

Chicago Bulls, Oklahoma City Thunder, Greivis Vasquez, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, New Orleans, Pelicans 

Do you have any phobias? Russell Westbrook: Yeah, like, hair s---. I don't like that. Wait, what do you mean? Like, you hate when there's hair lying around your place? Russell Westbrook: Naw, there ain't no hair at my place, I promise you that. But, you know, if there's hair around, I can't handle that. If I find somebody's hair laying on me, I'll lose it. ESPN.com

Oklahoma City Thunder, Russell Westbrook 

How would you describe your childhood? Russell Westbrook: My childhood was … interesting. I was born in LA, at Long Beach Memorial, and we moved around inner-city LA. Lawndale, I didn't necessarily live there, but that's where my high school was and where people think I'm from. I lived at 83rd, and 66th and Normandie -- the inner city. The ghetto. Yeah, virtually. I was in Hawthorne when I got to high school, and it got rougher and rougher as I got older. My childhood, I wouldn't say it was bad. It helped me grow up. I stayed out of trouble. My parents taught me what's wrong and right, and knowing that I had a little brother following me, I had to make sure I was doing the right thing so he knows what's right, too. I was in the house nine days out of 10. There wasn't nothing good outside for me. ESPN.com

Oklahoma City Thunder, Russell Westbrook 

Let's fast-forward. Again, we don't know much about you, so, who the hell are you today? [He laughs.] I chill at home. I bowl a lot here. I play video games. I shop 'til I drop. And I like to hang with my brother and my parents. We're really close. My parents are in LA but they visit all the time. I visit, too. I got a little place, close to UCLA. When they're around, it's always fun and laughs. I just like hanging with my family. That's when I'm happiest. What do you bowl? I bowl, average, probably 190. But I've had a lot of high scores, I'll tell you that. [Laughs.] I'll be by myself and … Wait, you bowl by yourself? I've done that many a times. I'll bowl by myself and get in a full-on sweat. I'll usually go in the afternoon when nobody's there. So, when you're home, you're playing video games? Yup. I don't know the last time I watched the news -- I should, probably. And I don't watch ESPN. ESPN.com

Oklahoma City Thunder, Russell Westbrook 

Right. So, why the glasses? It fits me. It looks better. It adds sophistication. There was a little stink during the Finals over who started the faux-glasses trend. LeBron said it definitely wasn't you. I don't know. Do you care? Nope. I don't care who started what. I do my own thing. I don't try to start trends. What trends are you into now? I like cutoff jean jackets, jean shorts, too. I liked metallic leather for a while but I'm over it now. Now I'm into cotton pants for some reason. Cotton, light gray, but they look dressy, with little pockets and zippers. I'm getting some made. ESPN.com

Oklahoma City Thunder, Russell Westbrook