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Russell Westbrook considering surgery on fractured hand, timeline still unclear

Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports

One day after fracturing the second metacarpal in his right hand, Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder remain unsure on how they will proceed with treatment.

After meeting with outside consultants on Friday, surgery has emerged as a possibility, but the team and player will continue to weigh all possibilities on Saturday, ESPN's Royce Young reports.

"At this stage, surgery is a consideration for this particular injury," Thunder general manager Sam Presti told ESPN on Friday. "If there were to be a procedure, we would provide a time frame at that point."

Presti also revealed that the team is looking into a Hardship Exception, which would allow them to add a 16th player to their roster. In order to qualify, four players must each miss three games, something the Thunder should clear after Saturday's game.

Along with Westbrook, Kevin Durant and Anthony Morrow are also out into December, while Jeremy Lamb, Grant Jerrett and Reggie Jackson are out with minor injuries. The team may be left with just eight healthy bodies on Saturday.

It remains unclear if Westbrook is weighing options in order to come back as quickly as possible, or to find the option that best ensures the bone heals completely. He's been quick to return from injury in the past, and the Thunder could certainly use him back on the shorter end of the speculated four-to-eight week time frame for recovery, but it's probably best to take the long-view with his health.

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