Westbrook posts 35th triple-double; Thunder roll past 76ers

OKLAHOMA CITY >> Russell Westbrook recorded his 35th tripledouble of the season with 18 points, 11 rebounds and 14 assists and the Oklahoma City Thunder cruised to a 122-97 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.

The Thunder have won 16 straight games against Philadelphia, a run that stretches to the 2008-09 season, the franchise’s first in Oklahoma City.

Westbrook, who made all six of his field-goal attempts and all six of his free throws, has recorded five triple-doubles against Philadelphia, his highest total against any NBA team.

He needs six triple-doubles in Oklahoma City’s final 11 games to tie Oscar Robertson’s single-season record, set during the 196162 season.

Nik Stauskas led the 76ers with 20 points, reaching the 20-point

mark in consecutive games for the first time in his career. Oklahoma City dominated the 76ers on the boards, posting a 54-25 rebounding advantage.

After 11 lead changes in the opening minutes,

the Thunder seized control with a 14-3 run near the end of the first quarter that put them ahead 2922. Oklahoma City pushed its lead to 14 at one point before settling for a 63-50 halftime lead.

Philadelphia scored to start the third quarter, then the Thunder scored the next 15 points to build a 26-point lead

and the triple-double watch intensified. Westbrook’s 10th assist came when Taj Gibson rattled in a 15-foot jumper at the 9:10 mark and the 10th rebound came with 7:08 left in the quarter.

It was the 13th time this season, and the 27th time in his career, Westbrook clinched a triple-double in the third quarter. He left

the game with 2:39 left in the quarter and didn’t return.

Enes Kanter posted his 17th double-double of the season for the Thunder with 24 points and 11 rebounds.

TIP-INS

76ERS » The team confirmed before the game that center Joel Embiid

would have surgery in the coming days to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, but offered no timetable for his return . ... Jahlil Okafor, who missed Monday’s game at Orlando with right knee soreness, started against the Thunder and played 17 minutes, scoring six points . ... Dario Saric scored 12 points, extending his double-figure

scoring streak to 21 straight games, the longest by a rookie this season . ... Stauskas matched his season high with five 3-pointers, going 5-of-5 from behind the arc in the first half.

UP NEXT

76ERS » Will continue a five-game road swing at Chicago on Friday.