LOS ANGELES — Russell Westbrook scored 31 points and hit a key jumper with 38 seconds left, and the Oklahoma City Thunder overcame the absence of NBA MVP Kevin Durant for a 104-103 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.
Kobe Bryant missed a 17-foot jumper right before the buzzer for the Lakers, who had won three of four. Bryant had nine points on 3-of-15 shooting, but added eight rebounds and eight assists.
Reggie Jackson scored 25 points and hit the go-ahead free throws with 1:05 left for the Thunder, who persevered down the stretch for their eighth victory in nine games.
Durant sat out after spraining his right ankle in the first half of the Thunder's loss at Golden State on Thursday night.
Although Durant's X-rays were negative and the sprain was mild, Oklahoma City elected to be cautious with its superstar, who made his season debut in early December after surgery on a broken right foot.
After Westbrook put the Thunder up 104-101 in the final minute, Jeremy Lin hit a jumper with 32 seconds left. Westbrook missed a shot to set up the Lakers' final shot, but Bryant's jumper clanged off the rim.
Ed Davis had a season-high 18 points and nine rebounds for the Lakers.
Nick Young was ejected with 11:24 to play after he retaliated to contact from Steven Adams with a forearm and elbow to the throat of the Oklahoma City center. Young had three 3-pointers and 11 points before his ejection.
