NBA News: Russell Westbrook Nears Return for Oklahoma City Thunder

The other star in the Oklahoma City Thunder line-up is nearing his return and team officials are estimating a comeback post All-Star break.

Russell Westbrook has “increased activity” in Thunder practices and has joined the team’s pregame warm-ups and shoot-around in the last two games versus the Orlando Magic and New York Knicks.

“I don’t know what date,” said OKC head coach Scott Brooks in an interview with The Oklahoman. “Sometime after the All-Star break. We like the progress he is making.”

Brooks added though that Westbrook has not been cleared for full contact and joining the practices on limited basis.

The Thunder holds a 20-8 win-loss card sans Westbrook in the 2013-2014 regular season. In 25 games for the Thunder this year, the six-year pro has averages of 21.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.8 steals in 32.9 minutes per game.

Oklahoma City has won 13 of their last 15 games as superstar Kevin Durant has been tearing it up for OKC in the absence of his partner in crime. Big man Serge Ibaka, veterans Thabo Sefolosha and Derek Fisher; and young guns Jeremy Lamb and back-up point Reggie Jackson

The 2014 NBA All-Star Weekend is scheduled from February 13 to 16 in New Orleans, Louisiana.