"This is the most incredible thing," said coach Scott Brooks of the voluntary practice time. "I've been on teams that at this time of the year had the record that we have and not do this.

"We got a team that likes to get better. They like to work, and that's good. It's important. This is the time where you need to work on your game and make individual improvement before and after practice. And our guys do it."

SPLINT LIMITING COLLISON'S EFFECTIVENESS

Nick Collison said his fractured left thumb isn't painful, but the splint he must wear during games is limiting his effectiveness, particularly when snagging rebounds.

"It's kind of frustrating," Collison said. "I'll get my hand on a rebound that I normally feel like I can get, but I can't squeeze them. That's just the way it is. If I want to play I got to play with it."

Collison expects to wear the splint another two to three weeks, allowing the bone to fully heal.

SMITH SAYS KNEE IS NEARLY PAIN FREE

Forward Joe Smith is expected to miss his seventh straight game tonight with a left knee injury. Smith, who had a cyst on the knee, said he is ready to return but is awaiting clearance from the team's medical staff.

"It's pretty much pain free now," said Smith, who still isn't participating in full-contact practices. "I still got a little knot from the cyst. I don't know if they're trying to wait until that goes away totally or what. But I want to get out there as soon as I can. I don't think it'll be (tonight), but hopefully it'll be sometime this week."

WESTBROOK PROTECTING RIGHT KNEE

Russell Westbrook wore a protective knee pad on his right knee Friday night against the Los Angeles Clippers and in Sunday's practice. He is only protecting the knee after knocking knees with a Golden State player last Wednesday. "It's just so it won't get hit again," Westbrook said.