Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) goes up for a basket as Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Friday, Oct. 28, 2016. Oklahoma City won 113-110. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
Tired wasn’t an option for Russell Westbrook on Friday night.
The explosive point guard had 51 points in a triple-double and scored the winning points in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 113-110 overtime victory over the Phoenix Suns. He played just over 45 minutes and never slowed down.
“You’ve got to want to win,” he said. “Very simple. When you want to win, you don’t think about being tired. To me, being tired is a mind thing. It’s in your mind. You’ve got to go out there and compete at a high level and leave it on the floor.”
According to the Thunder, it was the first 50-point triple-double since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had one in 1975. Westbrook finished with 13 rebounds and 10 assists and took a career-high 44 shots to claim his 38th career triple-double.
It was the franchise’s first game without Kevin Durant on the roster since it moved to Oklahoma City in 2008. Durant left in the offseason to play for the Golden State Warriors. In Oklahoma City’s home opener, Westbrook reminded the fans that there’s still star power in town.
Westbrook made a layup to put the Thunder up a point with 7.6 seconds remaining. Phoenix’s Devin Booker missed a layup and Westbrook was fouled. Westbrook scored his 50th and 51st points at the free-throw line with 3.5 seconds remaining. Booker missed a 3-pointer as time expired.
Westbrook was 17 of 44 from the field, 2 of 10 from 3-point range and made 15 of 20 free throws. He scored 39 points in the second half and overtime.
“That’s what he does,” Booker said. “He is an aggressive scorer. One of the best players in the league. We knew that coming in here.”
T.J. Warren had a career-high 30 points for the Suns.
Westbrook tied it at 59 on a layup and free throw early in the third, but the Suns responded with a 12-0 run. Westbrook kept the Thunder in it with 23 points in the third quarter on 7-for- 12 shooting, but the Suns led 83-77 heading into the fourth.
Westbrook returned from a rest with 8:50 remaining and the Thunder trailing 89-81. Four minutes later, his driving layup gave the Oklahoma City a 97-96 lead. Westbrook then found Roberson open, and Roberson’s 3-pointer pushed Oklahoma City’s lead to 102-98 with 2:39 to play.
After Phoenix rallied to tie it at 102, Westbrook missed several chances to put the Thunder ahead late in regulation, including a missed 3-pointer with 2.9 seconds left.
Late in overtime, Westbrook didn’t hesitate on his way to the hoop.
“I should have attacked the first time and be able to get to the paint and try to finish,” he said.
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TIP-INS
Suns: Coach Earl Watson played for the Thunder during the 2008-09 season. … The Suns led 31-13 in the first quarter and 40-25 at the end of the period. … Phoenix shot 69.6 percent in the first quarter and 19.2 percent in the second.
Thunder: Domantas Sabonis, a rookie, started in his first-ever regular-season home game. He finished with eight points on 4 for 6 shooting. … Backup point guard Cameron Payne sat out with a fractured right foot. … Westbrook was issued a technical in the third quarter, but it was taken away upon review. … Victor Oladipo scored 21 points.
STAT LINES
Westbrook’s averages through two games are 41.5 points, 12.5 rebounds and 9.5 assists. His 23 points in the third quarter matched Durant’s Thunder record for a quarter.
DEFENSIVE SWITCH
The Suns led by 18 in the first quarter, but Oklahoma City held Phoenix to 5-for-26 shooting in the second quarter to cut it to 53-49 at halftime.
“Just defending,” Westbrook said. “We know that we came out sluggish, especially on the defensive end. We locked down.”
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT
Watson, on defending Westbrook: “For us, Westbrook shot 44 times, 20 free throws. We’re living with that. We’ll live with that many shots. Our team played great.”
UP NEXT
Suns: Sunday, they travel to Golden State to face Durant’s new team.
Thunder: Sunday, they host the Lakers and new coach Luke Walton.
SOURCE: The Associated Press
Cliff Brunt
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