OAKLAND – Tuesday night’s game at Oracle Arena was the fifth matchup between Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook since the former signed with the Golden State Warriors two offseasons ago.
Durant took the first three of their meetings last year, but all he could do after Westbrook got the best of him and the Warriors in the Oklahoma City Thunders’ 125-105 victory was applaud the phenomenal performance of his former teammate.
“Well Russ came out and made his first nine shots, I think,” Durant said. “That’s what got them going. He was prolific in the pick-and-roll, and got to the rim, and knocked down the three. Once he’s knocking down the three and the pull up, it’s tough to stop him. That was the game right there, first quarter and they have 42 points, and so you got to give them credit. They came out with a lot of energy and we didn’t match it.”
Westbrook led the charge in Oklahoma City’s high-scoring victory over the Warriors with 34 points, nine assists, and nine rebounds. Durant finished right behind him with 33 points, along with six rebounds, one steal, and one assist.
Despite dropping both meetings with the Thunder this season, Durant remains 3-2 in his games against Westbrook.