NBA: Westbrook banks 17th triple as Thunder rout Nuggets
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook is congratulated by forward Kevin Durant, foreground, during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday, April 5, 2016, in Denver. Oklahoma City won 124-102. AP
LOS ANGELES, United States — Russell Westbrook banked his 17th triple double of the season as the Oklahoma City Thunder thumped the Denver Nuggets 124-102 on Tuesday.
Westbrook weighed in with 13 points, 12 assists and 14 rebounds as he became the first player since Magic Johnson in 1988-89 to make 17 triple doubles in a season.
Westbrook bagged his latest triple-double after assisting Andre Roberson’s dunk during the third quarter.
READ: Thunder rout Blazers behind Westbrook’s triple-double | Thunder star Westbrook adds to imprint on fashion world
The victory saw Oklahoma City improve to 54-24 and guaranteed them the third seeding in the Western Conference.
Although the Los Angeles Clippers could reach 54 wins, the Thunder would still hold the third seed because of their superior head-to-head record this season.
The Thunder’s win came after Enes Kanter scored 18 points and 11 rebounds while Dion Waiters and Serge Ibaka scored 18 apiece.
Oklahoma City led by as many as 33 at one point, with the Nuggets barely in contention.
Gary Harris topscored for the Nuggets with 17 points. Emmanuel Mudiay and D.J. Augustin had 15 each as Denver fell to 32-47.
