Oklahoma City's two superstars both underwent offseason surgery, the team announced Tuesday.
Russell Westbrook had a torn ligament in his finger repaired and also had an "elective" procedure done on his right knee. Paul George, meanwhile, underwent rotator cuff surgery.
Oklahoma City Thunder Injury Update
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Westbrook played out the final six weeks of the regular season with the finger injury on his non-shooting hand, but didn't disclose it to the public, according to a report from ESPN, which cites unidentified league sources.
George's surgery was performed on his right shoulder, but he also has a torn labrum in his left shoulder that will require another procedure soon, according to the report. The six-time All-Star is expected to miss the start of training camp, the report says. George was an MVP and Defensive Player of the Year candidate in 2018-19.
The Thunder had an early exit from this year's NBA playoffs. The No. 6 seed fell to the Trail Blazers in five games in the first round and it hasn't won a playoff series in the last three seasons.
Westbrook and George are the Thunder's centerpieces, and their health will likely be crucial to the team's success moving forward. George's four-year, $137 million deal has a player option in 2021-2022. Should he decided to stay with Oklahoma City, he will become an unrestricted free agent in 2022. Westbrook's five-year, $205 million contract is good through the 2022-2023 season.
The Thunder could have their work cut out for them to compete in a stacked Western Conference in 2019-20.