After dropping the previous two meetings against the Memphis Grizzlies this season, the Oklahoma City Thunder marched past Memphis for a 105-89 win on Wednesday, February 11.
The win puts Scott Brooks’ squad three games over .500 for the first time all season and moved the Thunder to just a half game out of the last playoff spot in the NBA’s Western Conference.
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook led OKC in their 28th victory of the season.
Westbrook scored 24 points, shooting a perfect 15-15 from the free throw line, and was an assist and rebound shy of a triple-double.
Durant poured in 26 points and pulled down 10 rebounds.
The reigning MVP did experience soreness in his surgically repaired right foot late in the game and headed to the locker room early after checking out of the game for the final time with 3:41 left.
After the game, Thunder head coach Scott Brooks said due to Durant’s previous operation, Durant will experience soreness from time to time.
Additionally, the 26-year-old sometimes wears a walking boot before and after games for precautionary reasons.
“It comes and goes,” Durant said after the game. “It’s just part of the process. We knew that going into the surgery. We’re treating it pretty well. Keep icing it, keep doing treatment, but we knew it was going to happen. It’s off and on.”
Durant said he plans to talk to Thunder general manager Sam Presti and Brooks to figure out if he will play in the NBA All Star game on Sunday, February 15, and added that he will be in New York City.
After recently signing a contract extension, Thunder veteran Nick Collison added a nice performance off the bench scoring 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds.
Thunder reserve Dion Waiters also scored in double figures coming off the OKC bench, the third year guard scored 11 points.
The Thunder get a week off for the NBA All Star break before returning home to play the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, February 19, with tip off set for 7:00 p.m. CT.
