Russell Westbrook Scores 57 Points, Sets NBA Triple-Double Record In Thunder’s 114-106 OT Win Over Magic

The Oklahoma City Thunder had a great night on Wednesday, and Russell Westbrook in particular delivered a spectacular performance: he scored 57 points — the most in a triple-double in NBA history — 13 rebounds and 11 assists to lead his team to a 114-106 overtime victory over the Magic in Orlando.

Russell Westbrook Breaks NBA Record for Points, gets 38th triple-double

Westbrook, a top MVP candidate, led Oklahoma City to their biggest comeback in franchise history, pushing the Thunder from a 21-point deficit in the second half as he recorded his 38th triple-double of this season.

The 28-year-old point guard — the fourth overall pick in 2008— scored 36 of his 57 points after halftime, 19 of those in the fourth quarter and also sank the game-tying 3-pointer with 7.1 seconds left to force overtime. On Monday night, Westbrook went on a 13-point run in the last three minutes to secure a comeback win over the Dallas Mavericks.

“I always say this about him, he never believes he is out of it or we’re out of it,” said Thunder coach Billy Donovan, whose team improved to 43-31. “And he plays with an incredible competitive spirit. He plays with an unbelievable spirt. He always has a huge heart, he’s always a huge competitor and he finds ways to make things happen.

“Overall, it’s incredible what he is doing.”

Wesbrook, who also scored seven of the Thunder’s 12 points in overtime, thanked God and his teammates for his success.

“I’m very thankful to the man above for allowing me to play the game I love,” Westbrook, who finished one point shy of tying his career high. “And my teammates make it easy for me and give me a lot of opportunities to make plays like this.”

Although he wasn’t playing on his home court, the veteran point guard still garnered much praise from the crowd at Amway Center, who began chanting “MVP! MVP! MVP!” late in the fourth quarter.

“Words really can’t describe it,” OKC guard Victor Oladipo said of Westbrook’s performance this season. “It’s just an honor to be able to play alongside him. It’s amazing to watch him and it’s good for me to watch, too.”

Enes Kanter added 17 points and 10 rebounds off the bench for Oklahoma City, while Oladipo contributed 13 points in his first return to Orlando since being traded by the Magic last June.

The Thunder (43-31, 6th in Western Conference) have now clinched a playoff spot in the West. They are 2.5 games out of the coveted fourth-place spot. Through the first 73 games of the season, Westbrook averaged 31.4 points, 10.5 rebounds and 10.4 assists, which is second in NBA history to Oscar Robertson through the first 70 games of a season.

Evan Fournier and Terrence Ross led the Magic with 24 and 23 points respectively. The top four teams are guaranteed home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Orlando (27-48, 14th in Eastern Conference), meanwhile, was eliminated from the East playoffs after Detroit lost to Miami on Tuesday night. The Magic have now missed the postseason for five consecutive years. Team founder Jimmy Hewitt was inducted into Orlando Magic Hall of Fame before Wednesday night’s game. … Forward Jeff Green missed his fourth straight game due to back spasms. He is listed as day-to-day.

The Thunder next begin a three-game home-stand against San Antonio on Friday.

The Magic next begin a three-game road trip in Boston on Friday. The Celtics have beat Orlando by 30 points in each of their first two meetings this season.

NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 28: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dribbles up court against the New York Knicks during the first half at Madison Square Garden on November 28, 2016 in New York City.

Article by Pablo Mena