Durant says Thunder G Westbrook to return Thursday

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Injured Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook will return Thursday against the Miami Heat, his teammate, Kevin Durant said in a recent interview with Grantland's Bill Simmons.

Westbrook has missed 27 games since having surgery on Dec. 27 to deal with swelling in his injured right knee - the third procedure in nine months.

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

Oklahoma City went 20-7 this season without him.

The Thunder didn't immediately respond to calls and emails regarding Westbrook's status.

Oklahoma City (43-12) entered the NBA All-Star break with the league's best record.