Thunder 126, Kings 96
Daequan Cook scored a season-high 20 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder were unstoppable in the early minutes and cruised to a 126-96 victory over the visiting Sacramento Kings on Tuesday.
Oklahoma City (35-19) hit its first seven field-goal attempts and led 17-4 less than four minutes into the contest. The Thunder led by as many as 31 points in their final game before the All-Star break.
Sacramento rookie DeMarcus Cousins returned from a one-game absence tied to a postgame fight last Saturday. Cousins had a double-double by halftime and finished with 21 points and 13 rebounds for the Kings (13-39).
Kevin Durant scored 17 points and Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic scored 16 points apiece for Oklahoma City, which led 68-50 at halftime.
Cook made five 3-point baskets for the Thunder.
Sacramento missed 11 of its first 12 shots and never recovered from the early hole. The Kings shot 40.2 percent.
Seven Oklahoma City players scored in double figures. Serge Ibaka added 15 points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots, James Harden tallied 12 points and All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook had 10 points and 11 assists.
The Thunder rolled despite Durant’s off-night shooting. The All-Star forward was 5-of-18 from the field, including 1-of-8 on 3-point attempts.
Kings guard Tyreke Evans missed the game with foot soreness.