NBA notebook: OKC's Westbrook has knee surgery

The All-Star guard will be re-evaluated in four weeks, and he is expected to
miss all of the preseason. The Thunder begin regular-season play Oct. 16
against the Golden State Warriors.

The Thunder said Westbrook experienced stiffness and inflammation in his knee
during individual workouts in the last week. He chose to have the surgery as a
preemptive measure so that he didn't face knee issues throughout the season.

Westbrook, who turns 30 in November, holds career averages of 23.0 points, 6.6
rebounds and 8.2 assists per game in 748 games. He is a seven-time All-Star
and won the 2016-17 league MVP award.

--Legendary NBA broadcaster Ralph Lawler announced that his upcoming 40th
season as the "Voice of the Clippers" will be his last.

Lawler, 80, said he plans to retire at the conclusion of the 2018-19 season.
He has called more than 3,100 games since joining the then-San Diego Clippers
in the franchise's first year in California in 1978. He moved with the team to
Los Angeles in 1984.

The Clippers will celebrate "Ralph Lawler Night" at Staples Center for the
last regular-season game on April 10 against the Utah Jazz.

--Dirk Nowitzki said he sees a huge upside in No. 3 overall pick Luka Doncic
after watching him in Dallas Mavericks scrimmages this week.

Doncic, 19, did not suit up for summer league, but his work this week
impressed Nowitzki, who knows a bit about entering the league as a young
foreign star with high expectations.

"He's been here now for a week, scrimmaged every day, works hard and I really
like what I see," said Nowitzki, who was just six months older when he entered
the NBA from Germany. "He's really incredible with the ball for a big guy, and
he's a legit 6-8."

--Field Level Media