Westbrook leaves game with apparent knee injury

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook looks to pass during the second half of Thunder’s NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013, in New York. The Thunder won 123-94. AP

TORONTO — Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook left Friday’s game against Toronto in the third quarter after appearing to injure his right knee.

Westbrook, who sat out Thursday’s win at Cleveland to rest the knee that was surgically repaired earlier this season, was injured when Toronto’s Kyle Lowry collided with him on a pump-fake near the sideline with 7:37 left in the third quarter.

After being struck on the knee by Lowry’s leg, Westbrook immediately turned and called timeout, bending over in pain. He hobbled along the sideline for a few steps and was tended to briefly by the trainer before walking off the court with help from center Hasheem Thabeet.

Westbrook scored 15 points against Toronto before leaving. A three-time All-Star, he came in averaging 21.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists in 36 games this season. He has been on a minutes restriction since his return from surgery in February.