Oklahoma City Thunder: It appears increasingly unlikely that Andre Roberson will play for the Thunder again
Back in early 2018, the Oklahoma City Thunder were finally looking like contenders following a slow start to the season, and Andre Roberson was being backed as a certainty for the NBA All-Defensive First Team. Nevertheless, Roberson ruptured his left patellar tendon during a trip to the Detroit Pistons on January 27 and was subsequently ruled out for the rest of the season.
While a serious injury, Roberson was expected to recover in time for the 2018-19 season, however, the Colorado product suffered a series of setbacks throughout the year and ended up missing the entire season.
Over the summer, Roberson seemed to be finally closing in on his much-anticipated return as head coach Billy Donovan revealed that the 27-year-old had returned to practice with no restrictions. However, Roberson was absent from the Thunder's season opener and has since been ruled out from selection on a nightly basis.
Oklahoma City haven't been especially forthcoming on Roberson's status, although Donovan recently provided this concerning update on his status:
I don't have a timetable to be able to say when that would be (Roberson's return). We're hopeful... How far away from playing is he? It's just too hard for me to say.
The fact that the organization still doesn't know when Roberson will return after two years out is incredibly worrying, while it is fair to guess that the guard has suffered a further setback as he had stepped up his return to fitness during the weeks leading up to the season.
Ultimately, everyone in Oklahoma City is routing for Roberson to make a return, although with his status still a mystery and his contract expiring in the summer, he may never suit up for the Thunder again.