Thunder’s Kanter has surgery on broken arm

LOS ANGELES, US – Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter had surgery on his broken right forearm on Friday, January 27 (Saturday morning, Manila time), a day after he hurt himself punching a chair during a 109-98 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

General manager Sam Presti said the surgery was successful and Kanter will be re-evaluated in approximately four weeks.

Kanter could be sidelined up to two months, according to media reports.

Kanter was hurt when he slammed his fist into a padded chair on the Thunder bench after a timeout. The seat of the folding chair lifted and his arm was caught by the metal edge.

The Turkish big man is averaging 14.4 points and 6.7 rebounds in 47 games this season for the Thunder, who are 28-19 and in sixth place in the Western Conference.

“It’s tough, man, especially to do it the way he did it, it’s very unfortunate,” Thunder star Russell Westbrook said of Kanter’s injury after the game. “He’s a strong man, and he’ll be back better.

“Things happen. If he could take it back, he definitely would. But I think now we have to look forward and try to figure out what the positive things are and get him back as soon as possible.”

Thunder coach Billy Donovan said after the game that he wanted to withhold comment on the way Kanter’s injury happened until he had a chance to talk to him.

“I didn’t see it, but obviously I heard about it,” Donovan told reporters Thursday night. “I have had not had a chance to talk to Enes, but I want to talk to him first before I comment just to get his perspective on things.” – Rappler.com