Thunder's Roberson not close to return

The opportunities for the Oklahoma City Thunder's Andre Roberson to play this season appear to be rapidly dwindling.

The injured wing hasn't appeared in a game since suffering a ruptured left patellar tendon on Jan. 27, 2018. Thunder head coach Billy Donovan revealed Thursday that there's no indication Roberson is "anywhere near" appearing in a game, according to ESPN's Royce Young.

Donovan said the team had hoped to have Roberson appear with its G League affiliate, but the Oklahoma City Blue's season ended March 29.

Roberson, 27, has only averaged 4.6 points with 4.7 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game through parts of five seasons, but he's developed a reputation as an elite defender. He was an All-Defensive second-team selection in 2016-17.

The Thunder have already clinched a playoff berth this season, though they've struggled to climb the standings in a tough Western Conference. Oklahoma City sits seventh with a 45-33 record heading into Thursday's slate - just half a game up on the eighth-seeded San Antonio Spurs.