TRIPLE CROWN
Russ gets 50, beats horn on record-breaking night
DENVER — First, Russell Westbrook broke Oscar Robertson’s record for most triple-doubles in a season. Then, he broke the Nuggets’ hearts.
Westbrook’s 36-foot dagger at the buzzer gave Oklahoma City a 106-105 victory, eliminating Denver from playoff contention and capping an historic Sunday afternoon in which he scored 50 points to go with 16 rebounds and 10 assists.
Westbrook’s 42nd triple-double is one more than the “Big O” had for the Cincinnati Royals in 1961-62, a mark that many in the NBA had considered unbreakable until Westbrook’s incredible run.
The crowd gave Westbrook a standing ovation after he broke Robertson’s record with his 10th assist with 4:17 remaining.
Then, those same fans stood in stunned silence after watching Westbrook score his team’s final 15 points, including the winner after Steven Adams took the inbounds pass from Kyle Singler with 2.9 seconds left and dished to Westbrook, whose long jumper ringed through the iron as the horn sounded.
“It was a good defense,” lamented Nuggets guard Gary Harris. “He’s had a hell of a season. I think he might have just locked up the MVP with that one right there.”
Westbrook insisted his buzzerbeater wasn’t a low-percentage prayer.
“I practice that shot everyday pregame,” he said.
Same spot. And, he said, usually the same result.
“So, I definitely feel confident in shooting that shot,” he said.
Westbrook had a double-double by halftime but didn’t get his triple-double until feeding Semaj Christon in the right corner for a 3-pointer that pulled the Thunder to 101-91 with more than four minutes left.
With his 10th assist and his record in the books — after four tries at that final assist — Westbrook took care of the scoring himself the rest of the way.
He followed a pair of layups with six free throws then added another layup.
“It was like a video game,” Christon said. “I loved watching it.”
Westbrook’s biggest bucket was his last.
“Pure adrenaline, emotions running high, game-winning shot, it is something you dream about as a little kid to be able to do that on the road especially from that distance,” Westbrook said. “It is something you definitely will never forget.”