All-Star Game MVP Westbrook put knee surgery behind him

NEW YORK - Russell Westbrook's latest accomplishment could be used as motivation for the 76ers, especially Tony Wroten.

A year ago, Westbrook was unable to play in the NBA All-Star Game after undergoing a third surgery on his right knee.

But Sunday night, the Oklahoma City Thunder point guard had one of the best All-Star Game performances of all time.

He was named MVP after finishing with 41 points off the bench to lead the West all-stars to a 163-158 victory at Madison Square Garden. Westbrook's point total was one shy of the All-Star Game record set by Wilt Chamberlain in 1962.

His 27 first-half points eclipsed the record of 24 points in a half held by Glen Rice (1997) and Kyrie Irving last season.

"Definitely a blessing, man," said Westbrook, who had a string of three consecutive All-Star Game appearances snapped last season. "You never want to take no games off, especially an All-Star Game to get a chance to go out and show your talents. I'm blessed to be able to play the game that I love, definitely happy we got this win."

But a year ago, Westbrook's focus was on getting healthy, not playing in an All-Star Game.

He had surgery to repair a torn lateral meniscus in his right knee in April 2013. He was forced to have a second operation at the start of the 2013-14 season because of a loose stitch from the initial procedure. Then he had to have a third surgery during the season to alleviate swelling. He was sidelined for 27 games after the last surgery, missing the All-Star Game.

But Sunday, Westbrook was in the same company as Chamberlain and Michael Jordan. He surpassed the 40 points that Jordan scored in the 1988 All-Star Game and came close to Chamberlain's record.

"It's definitely an honor to be grouped with those two guys, especially in the All-Star Game," he said.

For a while, it appeared that Westbrook would break Chamberlain's record. He had 33 points through three quarters but went on to make just two of his final seven shots.

Westbrook's last two points came on a pair of foul shots with 1.3 seconds remaining.

His final foul shot had a little extra arc on it. He explained why in the postgame news conference.

"The East was trying to get me to miss the first one so they could have a chance to win the game," Westbrook said. "We wanted to win. I had to try to miss the second one, but I guess I couldn't miss tonight, huh?"

Westbrook proved he could come back and dominate on the biggest stage after an injury.

That should serve as motivation for Wroten, who had surgery Feb. 3 to repair a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament in right knee.

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