Durant’s 26 points lead Thunder past Hornets

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) shoots in front of Charlotte Hornets forward Spencer Hawes (00) and guard Jeremy Lin, right, during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016. AP

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma—Kevin Durant scored 26 points to help the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Charlotte Hornets 109-95 on Wednesday night for their sixth straight win.

Russell Westbrook collected 16 points, 15 assists, eight rebounds and five steals in 27 minutes before sitting out the entire fourth quarter because the Thunder were in control.

Steven Adams had 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Thunder, who have won 21 of their past 25 games. Kyle Singler added a season-high 11 points.

Charlotte’s Kemba Walker, who scored 52 points Monday in a win over Utah, led the Hornets with 21 points. Jeremy Lin scored 16 points, and Frank Kaminsky had 15.

Charlotte shot just 42 percent from the field and was outrebounded 51-34 in its 10th loss in 12 games.

Durant scored 17 points and Westbrook had 11 assists in the first half to help the Thunder to a 52-45 lead at the break. Walker scored 15 points to keep the Hornets in it.

The Thunder created distance in the first half of the third quarter. Westbrook found Serge Ibaka in the right corner for a 3-pointer and a 70-56 lead. Singler’s back-to-back 3-pointers made it 88-68 late in the third quarter. Westbrook had 10 points and four assists in the period.