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Russell Westbrook: How Kevin Durant’s Injury Affects MVP Status

By Evan Massey

Mar 25, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts while playing during the first half against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts while playing during the first half against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 25, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts while playing during the first half against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts while playing during the first half against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

How does Kevin Durant being ruled out for the remainder of the season affect Russell Westbrook’s chances to win the MVP award?

The Oklahoma City Thunder are currently the eighth seed in the Western Conference, but they still have two teams competing with them. Both the New Orleans Pelicans and Phoenix Suns are still in the picture, although the Thunder definitely appear to be the favorites to win the final playoff seed.

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Russell Westbrook has been the driving force behind the success that the Thunder have had this year, especially due to all of the injury issues that Kevin Durant has gone through. He was ruled out for the remainder of the season last week, and it is a very disappointing piece of news for the Thunder. Westbrook will now be asked to continue playing his dominant brand of basketball, and will have to do even more in order to contend in the playoffs.

During the 2014-15 so far in 59 regular season games, Westbrook has averaged 27.6 points, 8.6 assists and 7.2 rebounds per game. He has shot 42.5 percent from the field and 29.7 percent from behind the three-point arc. His percentages could use improvement, but he is asked to take a very high volume of shots in order for the Thunder to compete on a nightly basis.

So that being said, how does Durant’s injury affect Westbrook’s status as a potential NBA MVP?

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