Westbrook's 35th triple-double lifts Thunder
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Russell Westbrook recorded his 35th triple-double of the season to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 122-97 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Westbrook scored 18 points -- going 6 of 6 from the field and 6 of 6 from the free-throw line -- in only 27 minutes. He also recorded 14 assists and 11 rebounds. Westbrook didn't attempt a 3-pointer for the first time since March 14, 2016, a span of 83 games.
Oklahoma City's Enes Kanter wasn't perfect from the field, but he was close. He scored 24 points on 8-of-9 shooting and grabbed 11 rebounds off the bench. Victor Oladipo scored 18 points for the Thunder (41-30).
The 76ers were paced by Nik Stauskas, who came off the bench to score 20 points. However, 15 of those came in the first half.
Shawn Long scored 13 points, and Dario Saric and Robert Covington each posted 12 points for Philadelphia (26-45).
After scoring only 15 points in a loss to Golden State on Monday, Westbrook made sure he was going to surpass those numbers Wednesday. He hit all four of the shots he took in the first quarter on his way to 12 points.
The Sixers used 3-point shooting of Stauskas to keep within striking distance. He hit his first five attempts from behind the arc.
But it was Kanter's ability to come off the bench and score at will in the paint that really disrupted Philadelphia's defense. He was guarded by Okafor, who provided little resistance.
Kanter played only 12 minutes in the first half, but managed to rack up 19 points to give the Thunder a 63-50 halftime advantage.
Oklahoma City went on a 15-2 run to start the second half. That essentially closed the book on the young Philadelphia squad.
Every player who suited up for the Thunder scored.
NOTES: The Philadelphia 76ers confirmed Wednesday that C Joel Embiid will have season-ending knee surgery on his left knee to repair a torn meniscus. ... Oklahoma City G Russell Westbrook said he is not a fan of sitting out games when healthy. He has only missed one game for rest during his entire career. "(To rest), that's their own opinion. I like to play basketball so I like to go out and compete and have fun," Westbrook said. "I think for me I look at it differently from being hurt and missing a lot of games, I embrace everything moment I have to play basketball and enjoy the time I can play, so that's just how I think."