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Westbrook's 9th triple-double leads Thunder past Southeast-winning Hawks

Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Russell Westbrook is playing like he's from another planet. 

On a day the Oklahoma City Thunder revealed superstar Kevin Durant would remain out indefinitely, Westbrook proved - yet again - why he belongs at the front of the MVP discussion. 

The Oklahoma City point guard recorded his league-leading ninth triple-double of the season Friday to power the playoff-hopeful Thunder to a thrilling 123-115 victory over the Eastern Conference-best Atlanta Hawks

Westbrook, the NBA's leading scorer, secured the feat with five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, finishing with 36 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds. He has seven triple-doubles in his last 12 games which is more than any player has throughout the entire season. 

A four-time All-Star, Westbrook entered the contest averaging 32.6 points, 10.8 assists and 10 rebounds over his last 13 games, all of which Durant - the reigning MVP - has been sidelined for, to single-handedly keep the Thunder's season alive. 

Friday's win helped the Thunder hold on to sole possession of the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference and move 1.5 games ahead of the ninth-place New Orleans Pelicans, who visited the NBA-best Golden State Warriors on Friday without star power forward Anthony Davis. 

Oklahoma City, dealing with injuries to Durant, Serge Ibaka and newcomer Enes Kanter, is looking for its sixth consecutive playoff appearance. 

Atlanta, meanwhile, lost its second straight. It did, however, clinch the Southeast Division crown after the Washington Wizards fell to the Los Angeles Clippers, 113-90. It's the Hawks' first division title since 1994.

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