Durant drops 40 as Thunder pull even with Pelicans, inch closer to Suns

He's a bad, bad man.

Kevin Durant caught fire like few players can on Monday, tying a career high with seven 3-point field goals, shooting 13-of-19 overall and dropping a 40-piece on the Denver Nuggets.

That marks Durant's second-highest scoring output of the season, and it couldn't have come at a better time. The 124-114 road victory gives the Oklahoma City Thunder four wins in their last five when they have little room for error as they chase a playoff spot in the loaded Western Conference. 

With the Anthony Davis-less New Orleans Pelicans dropping a close decision to the Utah Jazz on Monday, the Thunder have pulled even with them for ninth at 27-25. What's more, the Thunder are now just a game-and-a-half behind the Phoenix Suns for the eighth seed. With the Thunder sporting a better scoring margin and having Durant and Russell Westbrook healthy, the Suns need to be looking over their shoulders in a serious way.

Westbrook was an effective tag-team partner for Durant on Monday, as usual, scoring 26 points with five rebounds and nine assists. With Steven Adams sidelined for three weeks, Durant and Westbrook had an unexpected third running mate: Mitch McGary scored 17 points with 10 rebounds. Prior to Sunday, McGary had played eight minutes on the season. He's now posted double-doubles on back-to-back days.

Those are the kind of performances the Thunder will need from their depth pieces from time to time, even if Durant is burning down arenas like he was on Monday.