OKC downs San Antonio
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – That faint M-V-P chant wasn't for Russell Westbrook. It was for 37-year-old forward Nick Collison.
Westbrook, the NBA's most valuable player last season, scored 21 points and posted his 19th triple-double of this season to help the Oklahoma City Thunder defeat the San Antonio Spurs 104-94 on Saturday night. Collison, a fan favorite who has been with the Thunder since the team moved from Seattle, stole the show.
Collison was pressed into action because starting center Steven Adams came down hard on his left ankle in the third quarter and did not return. Collison entered the game in the fourth quarter for the first time and responded by scoring all seven of his points in a 2:41 span in the fourth quarter for Oklahoma City.
Collison heard the chant and got a kick out of it.
“Sometimes, I feel like the walk-on in college games,'' he said.
Westbrook was glad to see Collison show he's still got it. Collison hadn't scored as many as seven points in a game since scoring seven on March 22, 2017, against Philadelphia.
“He puts in the work and he's always ready to go,'' Westbrook said. “Tonight was one of those nights where he got his number called and he answered like he does every time. It's a blessing to be on the floor with a guy like him. He's so unselfish. It's good to see.''
Collison said he just tries to remember that he could be needed at any time. This time, it came in a key matchup between teams that are in the running for the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.
“There has been a couple years for me where I haven't played much,'' he said. “I'm just trying to focus when I'm out there on what is actually going on. Trying not to let it get into my head too much that I haven't been out here in a long time – really just focus on the play in front of you. I've gotten better at that as I've gone on. You just have to stay ready.''
Westbrook had 12 rebounds and 10 assists in the 98th triple-double of his career. Jerami Grant scored 15 points, Corey Brewer added 12, Paul George and Alex Abrines each scored 11 and Patrick Patterson had 10 for the Thunder, who improved to 6-3 since the AllStar break.
Rudy Gay and Davis Bertans each scored 14 points for the Spurs, who have lost eight of 10.
LaMarcus Aldridge was held to 11 points on 5-for-16 shooting.