Thunder star Russell Westbrook has knee surgery, out until after the All-Star break

Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook (0) looks to pass around New York Knicks point guard Beno Udrih (18) during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013, in New York. The Thunder won 123-94. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook has undergone arthroscopic knee surgery and won’t return until after the All-Star break.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook has undergone arthroscopic knee surgery and won’t return until after the All-Star break.

General manager Sam Presti says in a statement Friday that Westbrook has been playing pain free, but “recently had experienced increased swelling” in his right knee.

Presti says the team consulted with a surgeon in Los Angeles and an MRI determined there was “an area of concern that had not previously existed.”

Presti says “We know that Russell’s work ethic and commitment will help him return to the level of play that we have all come to appreciate.”

The Thunder visit the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday night.