National Basketball Association

Thunder G Russell Westbrook to return vs. Heat

Published Feb. 20, 2014 4:31 p.m. ET

foxsports

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook will play Thursday against the Miami Heat.

The team announced the decision a few hours before tipoff. Westbrook has missed 27 games since having a procedure on Dec. 27 to deal with swelling in his injured right knee - the third operation on the knee in nine months. Westbrook made it through a full practice Wednesday for the first time since his most recent surgery, and coach Scott Brooks said he looked good.

Westbrook, a three-time NBA All-Star, tore the lateral meniscus in the knee during the playoffs last April. He underwent an operation after that injury and had another procedure on Oct. 1 to remove a loose stitch.

Oklahoma City went 20-7 after Westbrook's latest setback.