George, Westbrook undergo surgery Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Paul George underwent rotator cuff surgery to repair a partially torn tendon in his right shoulder Tuesday and will miss at least the start of preseason training camp, league sources told ESPN. Along with George -- who will also soon have a procedure done to correct a small tear in the labrum of his left shoulder -- All-Star guard Russell Westbrook had a procedure done to repair a torn ligament in a finger on his left hand, league sources said. Before the injury in late February, George had been considered an MVP front-runner and a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. He is expected to make a full recovery, although it won't be until the preseason when the Thunder next address a time frame for his return. Westbrook played the final six weeks of the season with the injury to the fourth metacarpal of his non-shooting hand, sources said. Westbrook had been taping and treating the finger throughout the final weeks of the regular season and playoffs but never disclosed the injury to the public. He also had a minor procedure on his surgically repaired right knee Tuesday -- described as proactive maintenance -- that will allow him time to still have an aggressive summer of preparation for next season, sources said.
Westbrook has knee surgery every summer now. I know they say “minor,” but for a guy now in his 30s, that’s racking up the miles, with multiple knee surgeries, and relies on athleticism...ain’t nothing about it minor.
