Russell Westbrook returns Friday against the Knicks

Layne Murdoch/NBAE/Getty Images

Russ back, y’all.

Russell Westbrook will return to the starting lineup on Friday against the Knicks, Scott Brooks said Friday morning after shootaround. Westbrook will return to his starting role as Reggie Jackson moves back to the bench. The other four starters — Andre Roberson, Lance Thomas, Serge Ibaka and Steven Adams — will remain the same.

“It feels great [to be back],” Westbrook said. “I feel great. Rested. So I’m happy to be back and ready to go out and try to win.”

Westbrook won’t have any minute restrictions tonight.

“It’s different,” he said. “I’ve been able to run around, run and jump to keep my legs conditioned to be able to play throughout a game. So hopefully I’m conditioned enough to be able to go through a game.”

Kevin Durant, who is also set to be re-evaluated this week, remains unavailable. The Thunder do get Grant Jerrett back, though, who returns from offseason ankle surgery. Brooks said he doesn’t know how many minutes Jerrett might get tonight, but for the first time this season, the Thunder have 12 active players.

Westbrook will wear a protective cover on his right hand, but said he doesn’t expect it to bother him much. I watched him during shootaround and he wasn’t have much trouble, swishing a number of his patented elbow pull-up jumpers.

“It’s cool, it’s cool,” Westbrook said. “I’d rather not wear it. But I have to wear it and I got used to it the last week, two weeks.”

Westbrook is naturally left-handed, but of course shoots with his right hand. Though he said he won’t be relying more on his left to protect his right hand.

“I don’t know, we’ll see,” he said. “I’m not going to just be trying shit, some left-hand shot, I’m not doing that. I’m going to just play regular. I may have more stuff with my left hand now, but I’m not going to just try stuff, no.”