Clippers Fall To Thunder, 120-108
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Russell Westbrook had 25 points, a career-high 20 assists and 11 rebounds to help the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Los Angeles Clippers 120-108 on Wednesday night.
According to STATS, it was the first triple-double with at least 20 points and 20 assists since Rod Strickland did it for the Washington Wizards in 1998.
It was the 30th triple-double of Westbrook's career and his 11th this season. The Thunder are unbeaten this season when Westbrook gets a triple-double.
Kevin Durant had 30 points and 12 rebounds, and Serge Ibaka added 15 points for Oklahoma City.
Jeff Green scored 23 points, J.J. Redick had 22 and Chris Paul added 12 points and 16 assists for the Clippers.
The Thunder extended their lead to 2½ games over the Clippers for third place in the Western Conference standings.
Westbrook's performance was the highlight of an otherwise somber day for the franchise. The Thunder already were reeling after assistant coach Monty Williams' wife, Ingrid, was killed last month in a car crash in Oklahoma City. Part-owner Aubrey McClendon died last week in a one-car accident in Oklahoma City, then Thunder guard Dion Waiters' younger brother, Demetrius Pinckney, was shot and killed Tuesday in Philadelphia.
The Thunder reflected on McClendon's life with a video tribute and held a moment of silence for McClendon and Pinckney before the game.
The Thunder's 39 points in the first quarter were a season high, and helped them take a 10-point lead. Westbrook's eight assists in the period tied a career high for the first.
The Clippers trimmed Oklahoma City's lead to 64-62 at halftime. The Clippers shot 59.5 percent in the first half, while the Thunder shot 52.2 percent. Westbrook had 17 points and 12 assists at the break.
Durant went to the bench to rest midway through the third with the Thunder leading 79-75. Two quick assists from Westbrook to Ibaka doubled the margin and forced the Clippers to call a timeout. The Thunder closed the quarter strong and led 93-83 heading into the fourth.
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