The Oklahoma City Thunder needed a big win. The team had suffered two ugly losses to the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers, and critics were beginning to question if the Thunder would fail at getting an NBA Championship once again. However a rematch against the Clippers silence a lot of the doubt as Russell Westbrook led the way in a monster game.
Westbrook put the Thunder on his shoulders when they needed him to the most. The point guard had 25 points, 20 assists and 11 rebounds in the 120-108 win. No one has put up those numbers since Magic Johnson did so with the Lakers in 1988. Westbrook did his best to downplay the success of the evening. Instead, he opted to focus on the fact that the Thunder desperately needed the win.
"Just a win, man," Westbrook said. "More important just to see all my teammates happy and all see my teammates enjoy the game and enjoy this win. That's the most important part for me, is just making sure everybody feels comfortable about their game."
Durant benefitted from his teammates' big night. The soon-to-be free agent had 30 points and 12 rebounds for the Thunder. The high-scoring affair allowed the Thunder to avoid crunch-time minutes, something they have been struggling with lately. Durant told the media that he was amazed by what Westbrook did on the court. The night featured two of the best point guards in the league with Chris Paul playing for the Clippers, but it was Westbrook who shined brighter.
"That's unheard of," Durant said. "Words can't even describe it. Because it looks so effortless and easy and smooth in the game, you don't even know it's going on. Then you look at the statsheet and he's got 25, 20 and 11. That's like ..."
Games like this from Westbrook need to become the new normal if Oklahoma City has a shot at winning a championship. The Thunder are in win-now mode, considering that Durant will be a free agent this season and Westbrook's contract expires next year. Their window is closing, and big nights from the team's point guard could push them to the top.
Many have speculated that an NBA title will be the biggest factor in whether or not Durant stays with Oklahoma City. The former MVP is ready to win a championship in his career, and if the Thunder show they cannot offer him that, he could head elsewhere. Durant denied the idea, noting that he will consider everything in free agency, but the Thunder remains an option.
"To me, it doesn't [make sense]," Durant said. "You put too much pressure on everybody if you say something like that. Especially my teammates and the organization. They don't deserve that. So I never said that, I never thought that. Like I said, I can't control rumors from people who sit behind their desk every day and think of stuff to say."
