Russell Westbrook is back.
After missing all of training camp and the first two games of the 2018-19 regular season due to an offseason knee procedure, the former MVP returned to action when the Thunder hosted the Kings Sunday night.
Russ. Returns. Tonight. #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/NzXNSZiS85
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) October 21, 2018
In his debut, Westbrook came close to recording a triple-double, finishing with 32 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, but Oklahoma City fell to 0-3 after an 11-point loss to Sacramento.
OKC struggled in Westbrook's absence, starting off the season with losses to the Warriors and Clippers. Dennis Schröder, who started in place of Westbrook, followed a solid performance at Golden State with a rough outing in Los Angeles.
As a starter, Schröder averaged 14.5 points, 7.0 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting 26.5 percent from the field and 22.2 percent from deep. Westbrook's return means Schröder shifts to a reserve role where he should see success as the head of OKC's second unit.
Schröder scored 14 points, dished eight assists and pulled down four rebounds in the loss to the Kings.
The Thunder's next game is Thursday when they host the Boston Celtics.