The Oklahoma City Thunder have managed quite nicely, thank you, without superstar Russell Westbrook, whose two-game absence has not prevented the Thunder from continuing a league-best run.
The Thunder will bring a seven-game winning streak into a Saturday game at Dallas, which has lost eight of its first 11 games but has played much better at home, winning three of five.
The Thunder (7-4) obviously would not want to play a long stretch without Westbrook, who is averaging 24.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 8.9 assists. But their defense of late has shown them capable of hanging with just about anyone.