Durant injures leg; Westbrook leads Thunder past Wiz

WASHINGTON – Kevin Durant left at halftime with a strained left hamstring and Russell Westbrook took over, compiling a triple-double with 22 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder past the Washington Wizards, 125-101 Tuesday night (Wednesday in Manila).

 

Durant, second in the NBA in scoring entering the game, had 14 points and 10 rebounds in the first half. With less than a minute remaining in the second quarter, Durant was fouled by Kris Humphries on a drive to the basket and then limped a bit, clutching at the back of his left leg.

 

The 2013-14 MVP made both free throws and stayed in the game until halftime.

 

Westbrook had 10 points, five assists and three rebounds in the third quarter and sat out the fourth.

 

Dion Waiters scored 25 points, and Serge Ibaka added 23 for the Thunder, who had lost three of their past four games and now are 5-3.

 

Marcin Gortat and Ramon Sessions led the Wizards with 15 points apiece. But John Wall had only nine points and five assists as Washington's losing streak reached three games, dropping its record to 3-4 after a 3-1 start. The Wizards were without their leading scorer, shooting guard Bradley Beal, because of a sore left shoulder, and reserve forward Nene sat out with back spasms.

 

Westbrook dominated for stretches of the third quarter, when Oklahoma City used an early 16-8 run without Durant to go ahead 84-58, its biggest margin until then.

 

On consecutive possessions in that period, Westbrook threw down a soaring, one-handed dunk, then moments later hit a 3-pointer and wagged three fingers before pounding his chest.

 

Durant can become a free agent after this season, and the Wizards are among many teams expected to try to sign him, with fans adopting the slogan ''KD2DC.'' He was born in Washington and went to high school in nearby Rockville, Maryland, and spoke at the morning shootaround Tuesday (last Wednesday in Manila) about being happy to see family while in town.

 

''It means a lot coming back playing here,'' Durant said, ''because I remember as a kid catching the train to watch (games) ... and to be able to walk on that court as an NBA player it shows the journey that I've been on.''

 

Early on, he was the center of attention, getting booed even when simply dribbling the ball up court. He also heard jeers after each of his first two baskets, both dunks. By the time Durant sank a pair of 3-pointers later in the first quarter, there was polite - maybe even appreciative - applause.

 

The home team wasn't giving the locals much to cheer about, despite going the entire first quarter without a single turnover after averaging 25 turnovers in their previous two games.

 

The Wizards finished the half with only two turnovers, yet were down 68-50.

 

TIP-INS

Thunder: Shot 15 for 23 on 3s, 65.2 percent. Coach Billy Donovan on his team's duo of Durant and Westbrook: ''I like the way both of those guys are playing together. I think it starts with their relationship. They have a great one. I think they both understand that they can play off of each other.''

 

Wizards: Rookie Kelly Oubre Jr. hit the hosts' first 3-pointer of the night - and the first of his NBA career, after an 0 for 4 start - to start the second quarter. Made another 3, too, on his second attempt. Gary Neal started for Beal. Washington last went an entire half without a turnover in November 2006, against Cleveland, according to STATS.

 

UP NEXT

Thunder play Philadelphia on Friday (Saturday in Manila), while Wizards host Orlando on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).