NBA notebook: Westbrook out for opener

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook was ruled out for the Tuesday night opener at the Golden State Warriors as he continues to recover from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. Westbrook underwent the procedure on Sept. 12 and was slated to be re-evaluated in four weeks, which was last Wednesday, but coach Billy Donovan told reporters Tuesday the seven-time All-Star would miss the opener. Dennis Schroder likely will start in Westbrook's absence. Meanwhile, big man Steven Adams also could miss the opener due to lower back stiffness, which kept him out of practice Monday. Donovan indicated Adams would be a game-time decision in Oakland, Calif. Westbrook, who turns 30 in November, has missed just four games total over the past three seasons. He holds career averages of 23.0 points, 8.2 assists and 6.6 rebounds per game in 748 games, averaging a triple-double in each of the past two seasons and winning the 2016-17 MVP award. --Brooklyn Nets forward DeMarre Carroll underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle, the team announced. No timetable was revealed per Carroll's recovery period. Coach Kenny Atkinson said Carroll would be sidelined indefinitely. Carroll has been bothered by soreness in the ankle, and an MRI exam led to the decision to have a procedure now as opposed to having him attempt to play through it. The 32-year-old posted career-best averages of 13.5 points and 6.6 rebounds last season in his first campaign with the Nets. --WNBA All-Star Kristi Toliver has landed a pretty solid offseason job: assistant coach for player development of the Washington Wizards. The Wizards announced Toliver's hiring as part of a staff revamping two days before they open the NBA season against the Miami Heat on Thursday. Toliver, 31, just completed her 10th WNBA campaign and helped the Washington Mystics reach the WNBA Finals before losing to the Seattle Storm. The two-time All-Star has career averages of 12.3 points and 3.4 assists during her WNBA career. --The Los Angeles Lakers exercised 2019-20 team options on Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart and Brandon Ingram, the team announced. The expected moves put Ball, Kuzma and Hart under contract through their third NBA seasons and Ingram through his fourth. --Field Level Media