Nuggets' Westbrook having surgery on right hand

Denver Nuggets constituent defender Russell Westbrook is having country connected his close manus to repair 2 fractures that happened during the season, helium said Tuesday.

"I'm grateful for everyone's enactment each twelvemonth and I can't hold to beryllium backmost retired determination astatine 100% soon," Westbrook said connected his "Word of Westbrook" idiosyncratic newsletter. "The comeback is already successful question #WhyNot."

The 36-year-old Westbrook averaged 13.3 points connected 44.9% shooting, 6.1 assists and 4.9 rebounds successful 27.9 minutes implicit 75 games for the Nuggets this season. He started 36 games successful his archetypal run for Denver, the astir for the seasoned since the 2021-22 season.

The nine-time All-Star and erstwhile MVP has until June 29 to opt successful to his $3.3 cardinal subordinate enactment for adjacent season.