Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook ‘always grateful’ for OKC Thunder fans
Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook ‘always grateful’ for OKC Thunder fans
The Denver Nuggets defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 121-119 in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.Former Thunder player Russell Westbrook played a key role in the Nuggets’ victory, assisting Aaron Gordon’s game-winning 3-pointer.The Thunder, who had the home-court advantage and rest advantage, now face a must-win Game 2.
Russell Westbrook’s smile was as wide as the brim of his black-feathered hat. Something straight out of Zorro’s closet. The kind of hat that’s fit for a heist.
Oklahoma City was the scene of a stunning bit of thievery Monday night — a 121-119 Nuggets win over the Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals — and Westbrook was a main accomplice.
It was the former Thunder legend who assisted Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon on the game-winning 3-pointer with four seconds left.
Westbrook, in his ninth game back in OKC as a Thunder opponent, received a standing ovation when he first checked in. Thunder fans will never turn on Westbrook, but he might be greeted a little more half-heartedly in what will be a tense Game 2 on Wednesday — one the Thunder now desperately needs before the series heads to Denver.
“I’m truly indebted to these fans and the people here,” Westbrook said after the game. “They gave me a chance and believed in me when I was a little, young teenager. But the reason why they love me is my competitive nature, competitive spirit.”
Standing in the visitor’s locker room, on the opposite side of the hallway he occupied for 11 years, Westbrook was hamming it up. He and the Nuggets had every right to relish the win. That Thunder rest advantage we made such a big deal about? It’s irrelevant now. The Thunder stumbled down the stretch while Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets showed their championship mettle.
A litany of little Thunder mistakes — missed free throws and questionable coaching decisions — left the door open for Denver.
And Gordon only needed a crack.
“He’s the soul of this team,” Jokic said of Gordon.
Gordon had 22 points and 14 rebounds. A staggering stat line until you look at Jokic’s 42 points and 22 boards.
Neither Chet Holmgren nor Isaiah Hartenstein — anchors of the best defense in the NBA — were equipped to guard Jokic. Not on this night.
“The best player in the world,” Westbrook said of Joker. “Plain and simple.”
Jokic had more turnovers (seven) than assists (six), a rarity for him, and the Nuggets survived despite being outscored 23-5 in points off turnovers.
For as clutch as Gordon was, and as mythical as Jokic played, Westbrook’s 30 minutes off the bench were just as integral to the win.
Eighteen points and the game-winning dish.
Had a basketball series not crowded his calendar, Westbrook would’ve been at the Met Gala on Monday night. The outfit he wore was red-carpet worthy.
And equally befitting of a Game 1 steal.
Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at jmussatto@oklahoman.com. Support Joe’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
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