Perkins dislocates finger in Thunder preseason win

Perkins dislocates finger in Thunder preseason win

Published Oct. 5, 2013 11:33 a.m. ET

The Thunder already lost Russell Westbrook for the first month or more of the regular season and now they'll have to deal with another injury after their first preseason game Saturday.

Starting center Kendrick Perkins dislocated his finger in the first half.

The Thunder haven't announced how long Perkins will be out or how severe the injury is.

Kevin Durant scored 24 points, and the Thunder beat Fenerbahce Ulker (Turkey) 95-82.

Unlike the guard position where the Thunder are relatively inexperienced behind Westbrook, Oklahoma City seems to have a number of options at center. The Thunder have Hasheem Thabeet, Daniel Orton and rookie Steven Adams who can play center. While it's not likely the Thunder will carry all four centers once the season starts, the injury to Perkins will certainly mean an increase in playing time for Adams – the team's first pick in last June's NBA Draft – if Perkins is out for an extended period.

Adams played 15 minutes, was 3 of 4 from the field, had seven points and six rebounds.

Reggie Jackson, who started in place of Westbrook last year in the playoffs and again Saturday, played 23 minutes. He was 4 of 6 shooting and scored nine points. Other than Durant, only Serge Ibaka (15) scored in double figures for the Thunder.


Follow Andrew Gilman on Twitter: @andrewgilmanOK

ADVERTISEMENT
share