Thunder conquers Warriors
Westbrook powers OKC past Warriors
OKC got out to a big lead — and held on — beating KD & Co. 108-91.
Russell Westbrook turned the corner, leaving Klay Thompson in his wake and cocked back his trademark right-handed dunk. The reaction was even more powerful.
Westbrook made two big stomps, mouthing “Oh my God” twice to his left, his father, Russell II, clapping in a dark plaid suit three seats down from Kevin Durant’s agent, Rich Kleiman. It was a divine performance from the Thunder point guard, one fueled by a controlled chaos that few in the NBA can perform with like Westbrook.
“I play the same way every night,” Westbrook said. “… if it’s against Kevin …”
After an emotionally charged 108-91 Thunder win over the Warriors, Westbrook had to pause briefly and think, his thoughts and engine still running from the Thunder’s first win over Golden State in seven regular-season games.
“Who (do) we play Friday?” Westbrook said briefly before remembering. “Detroit, Reggie Jackson. Dennis Smith on Saturday. It don’t matter who it is.
“I go out and compete at a high level. I go out and play at a high level. I’ve been saying that since Day 1 and that’s what I do.”
Wednesday’s high-level
performance was orchestrated by Westbrook winning a much-anticipated duel with his former running mate. Westbrook had 34 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in 37 minutes. Durant finished with 21 points, sitting the final 8:09 as the Warriors trailed by 23 points.
The Thunder built the lead on the back of its star and converting defense into offense — turning 22 Warriors turnovers into 34 points.
It was a similar blitz to the way the Thunder pounded the Celtics in two quarters Nov. 3 … only to wilt after halftime. In nine losses entering Wednesday, the Thunder had lost six games in which it held a double-digit lead. How the Thunder would play coming out of halftime with a 65-48 lead was imperative.
Thunder coach Billy Donovan had to take a timeout at 9:53, with the Thunder fortunate Golden State missed some open looks to start 1-of-6. The Thunder was 0-of-3 and stuck on 65, when Westbrook broke the mini-drought with a jumper, then turned his controlled rage into two game-changing (season-changing?) moments.
Westbrook dribbled into the lane and got caught in the air with no place to go. He should have shot it, but he passed for a turnover. So, what did he do? Durant picked up his dribble on the next possession and as soon as he looked to the center of the court for help, his lofted pass was picked off by Westbrook for an easy dunk.
Stephen Curry thought he was in the middle of a simple walk up the court, but he was apparently in Westbrook’s funhouse. Westbrook stole the ball and scored a layup, drew the foul and pounded his chest with both fists.
“Tonight, when they got it going, up 20 points, of course … the crowd is gonna hype him up even more,” Durant said. “The intensity they played with, we just couldn’t match it early on. We dug ourselves a big hole and couldn’t get out of it.”
“It was very important,” Westbrook said of his third-quarter steals. “It set the tone defensively.”
Westbrook and Durant had an abundance of interactions that will stand out a little more to Thunder fans because they came in a win. In the first half, when an Andre Roberson offensive rebound tipped out to Westbrook, the crowd simultaneously stood, cheered and salivated when it saw the matchup.
Westbrook drove baseline and Durant stayed on his hip. Westbrook attempted to pass out to the perimeter … right into the hands of Draymond Green. But it was Westbrook’s only turnover of the first quarter, as he oscillated between facilitator and punishing Curry and anyone in his way to the basket. Westbrook finished 13-of-27, 7-of-8 from the free throw line.
When Westbrook checked back in with 8:09 left in the fourth quarter and the Thunder led by 23, there was still uncertainty in the building. The Thunder had lost double-digit leads in six of its nine losses this season.
Even when Steve Kerr trotted out an all-reserves lineup with the Warriors trailing 103-80, a quick Golden State burst prompted Donovan to call timeout again.
During the timeout, Westbrook walked toward the scorer’s table and locked eyes with Durant. After a night of barking at each other, the two had their most docile exchange.
Westbrook gestured toward Durant. Durant, wearing a hoodie, a towel draped over his shoulders, looked up at the clock and shrugged. His night was done. Westbrook and the Thunder’s season was ignited.
“Oh yeah, he feeds off anything,” Durant said. “He played with a chip on his shoulder. You’ve been seeing it his whole career.”
Will it always be this emotional between Westbrook and Durant?
Is it ever not emotional when Westbrook is on the court?
“That’s my game,” Westbrook said. “I feel like that’s my gift. To be able to come out every single night to use my energy, my enthusiasm to be able to keep my team and our team going.”