Westbrook has 35, triple-double as Thunder top Wizards in OT
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) For more than 47 minutes, Russell Westbrook could barely hit a shot.
For the next 5-plus minutes, he rarely missed.
Oklahoma City‘s fearless star was 7 for 28 from the field before he drained a 3-pointer late in regulation that forced overtime. He followed that by scoring 14 of his 35 points in the extra period to help the Thunder defeat the Washington Wizards 126-115 on Wednesday night.
”Never stop believing in yourself and your capabilities of doing what you’re able to do on the basketball floor,” Westbrook said.
Bradley Beal, who led the Wizards with 31 points, couldn’t believe Westbrook hit the shot with 8.5 seconds remaining. It was the only 3-pointer he made in six tries.
”I felt like I did a great job of cutting him off to the basket,” Beal said. ”He wasn’t making any jumpers all game. The only 3 he makes is the one to go into overtime.”
Westbrook was 4 of 6 from the field and 6 for 6 on free throws in the extra period. He finished with 14 rebounds and 11 assists for his fourth straight triple-double, his ninth this season and the 46th of his career. The Thunder have won all four games during his triple-double streak, and he heads into December averaging a triple-double through 20 games this season.
Former Thunder coach Scott Brooks returned as Washington’s coach, and the Oklahoma City crowd greeted him warmly. Brooks coached the Thunder for seven years and led them to the Western Conference Finals three times and the NBA Finals once.
”I’m humbled that they did that for me,…