OKLAHOMA CITY — Russell Westbrook had 28 points, eight assists and eight rebounds, Kevin Durant added 23 points and eight rebounds and the Oklahoma City Thunder won its sixth straight game, beating the Phoenix Suns 112-88 on Sunday night.
Westbrook recorded his eighth straight game of scoring at least 20 points, and getting five rebounds and five assists since his return from a broken hand. By halftime, he had 24, five rebounds and six assists. He narrowly missed getting his ninth career triple-double.
With the win, Oklahoma City - which started the season 3-12 - moved within a half-game of eighth place in the Western Conference. The Thunder, with Westbrook and Durant back after missing most or all of the first part of the season due to injury, has won eight of their last nine games and is 11-13.
Gerald Green led Phoenix with 15 points. The Suns have lost five straight games to fall to 12-13.
The Suns are known for their up-tempo offense that often turns opponents' misses into points at the other end, but Oklahoma City gave Phoenix few transition opportunities early while seizing control of the game. The Thunder made nine of their first 11 shots and never trailed.
Oklahoma City's 41-point first quarter was the Thunder's highest-scoring quarter of the season and it matched its season-best for points in a half, giving them a 70-48 halftime lead.
Phoenix came no closer than 20 points in the second half. About the only drama was whether Westbrook would record a triple-double, but he sat out all of the fourth quarter.
There was one scary moment along the way for Westbrook. As he leapt toward the basket midway through the third quarter, Alex Len fouled him hard and Westbrook landed awkwardly on his right leg - which has a surgically repaired right knee. Westbrook got up hobbled for a few steps before jogging off the floor for a timeout.
