Westbrook leads Durant-less Thunder past Hornets
Russell Westbrook stayed hot Saturday to help the Oklahoma City Thunder extend their winning streak to five games.
Westbrook scored a game-high 33 points to power the Kevin Durant-less Thunder to a 110-103 victory over the Charlotte Hornets.
The Thunder point guard recorded his third consecutive 30-plus point game - fourth if his 41-point MVP effort in the All-Star Game is included - while dishing out 10 assists and seven rebounds. Westbrook's big performance marked the 14th game he's scored at least 30 points this season in 40 contests.
Although the Thunder were without reigning MVP Durant, they had some reinforcements on hand. The recently acquired trio of Enes Kanter, Kyle Singler and D.J. Augustin all made their Oklahoma City debuts.
Kanter double-doubled with 10 points and 13 rebounds, while Singler added six points in 18 minutes after both started the contest. Augustin scored 12 off the bench over 23 minutes.
Serge Ibaka added 16 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks.
The Thunder are playing some of their best basketball at the right time, as they're entangled in a three-team race with the Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans for the final playoff spot in the loaded Western Conference. It could ultimately prove to be a two-team battle with the Suns if injuries to Anthony Davis and Ryan Anderson prove to be serious.
Both Anderson (knee sprain) and Davis (right shoulder aggravation) were forced to leave Saturday's game against the Miami Heat in the first half and didn't return.
The Hornets, who are also fighting for a playoff spot in the inferior Eastern Conference, dropped their fourth consecutive game to fall to ninth place behind the Brooklyn Nets. Brooklyn holds the tiebreaker over Charlotte but the teams will meet two more times later in the season.
Four Hornets players scored in double figures, including guard Mo Williams, who dropped 24 points and 12 assists in his Charlotte debut.
Durant missed the game with soreness in his surgically-repaired right foot.