OKC’s Westbrook dazzles Pelicans
Guard nearly has triple-double
OKLAHOMA CITY — Russell Westbrook just missed a triple-double, and the Thunder beat the New Orleans Pelicans 121-95 on Thursday night.
The victory came a day after Thunder assistant and former Pelicans head coach Monty Williams’ wife died. Ingrid Williams was involved in a car crash Tuesday night in Oklahoma City and died Wednesday. A moment of silence was observed for her before the game. Monty Williams coached the Pelicans last season before coming to Oklahoma City to help new coach Billy Donovan.
Westbrook h ad 23 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds. Kevin Durant scored 23 points, a nd Serge Ibaka added 18 for the Thunder. They have won 14 of 16 heading into the All-Star break.
Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday each scored 23 points for the Pelicans.
Oklahoma City joined Golden State and San Antonio as the only teams with at least 40 wins.
The Thunder led 6253 at halftime behind 18 points from Westbrook and 17 from Durant.
Westbrook got his 10th assist on Ibaka’s 3-pointer that gave the Thunder a 7965 lead. He had his ninth rebound with just under 3 minutes to go in the third quarter before heading to the bench with the Thunder ahead 86-68. Oklahoma City led 95-74 at the end of the third quarter.
Oklahoma City’s backups expanded the lead early in the fourth quarter, and Westbrook didn’t return.
ANOTHER GAME
Bucks 99, Wizards 92 at Milwaukee: Khris Middleton scored 27 points, Giannis Antetokounmpo had 17 points and 13 rebounds, and Milwaukee held off Washington.
Middleton scored 14 points in the final quarter, giving the Wizards trouble off the dribble and from the perimeter.
Bradley Beal scored 19 points for the Wizards, and Wall had 15 points and 10 assists.
DEVELOPMENTS
Ex-Vol a D-League AllStar: The Phoenix Suns assigned g uard Jorda n McRae to the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League on Thursday so he can play in the DLeague All-Star Game on Saturday in Toronto.
McRae signed a second 10-day contract with the Suns on Monday after initially signing Jan. 29. The 24-year-old former Tennessee player has averaged 4.8 points, 1.2 assists and 11. 3 minutes in six games with the Suns.
In his last D-League game for the Delaware 87ers, he scored a leaguerecord 61 points against Canton on Jan. 26. He averaged 23.1 points, 5.2 assists and 4. 5 rebounds in 28 games for Delaware.
Kidd-Gilchrist hurts shoulder again: Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has torn the labrum in his right shoulder for a second time, possibly ending his season.
The team said Kidd-Gilchrist will be re-evaluated after the All-Star break and gave no timetable for his return.
However, when KiddGilchrist first to re his lab rum in his shoulder in early October in a preseason ga me, he needed shoulder surgery and missed nearly four months. He returned last month and was averaging 12.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1. 3 assists in 29. 3 minutes in seven games.
Whiteside suspended: Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside has been suspended one game without pay by the league for his elbow to the head of San Antonio Spurs center Boban Marjanovic.
Whiteside will serve his suspension Feb. 19 when Miami plays the Hawks in Atlanta.
He was ejected with 9:35 left in the Spurs’ 119-101 win at Miami on Tuesday night. He swung his right elbow after a free throw, smacking Marjonovic on the side of the face and knocking him backward.