Russell
Westbrook's first triple-double of the season more than made up for Kevin
Durant's early exit on Tuesday in the Oklahoma City Thunder's 125-101 NBA
triumph over the Washington Wizards.
Westbrook
sat out the entire fourth quarter after amassing 22 points, 11 rebounds and 11
assists for Oklahoma City, who led 68-50 at halftime and by as many as 29
points in the second half.
But the news
wasn't all good for the Thunder as Durant clutched his left leg late in the
second quarter and didn't play the second half because of a hamstring strain.
"We
knew we had to come out and play the right way and not be relaxed,"
Westbrook said of the Thunder's determination to keep the pressure on in the
second half. "I thought we did a great job of sticking together."
Durant, who
played just 27 games last season as he battled to recover from a broken foot
suffered in October 2014, downplayed Tuesday's injury.
"I can
walk, it's just a little sore," said the former NBA Most Valuable Player,
who put up a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds before exiting.
"I'll
just get treatment and see how it goes," he added.
The New
Orleans Pelicans meanwhile finally notched their first win of the season,
snapping a six-game losing streak with a 120-105 victory over the Dallas
Mavericks.
However, the
triumph was shadowed by an injury to star forward Anthony Davis, who exited
with a hip contusion early in the third quarter after scoring 17 points and
pulling down seven rebounds in 19 minutes on the floor.
Guards Eric
Gordon, Ish Smith and Toney Douglas also each scored 17 points for the
Pelicans, who handed the Mavs their third defeat in four games.
Superstar
LeBron James scored 17 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter as the Cleveland
Cavaliers rallied for a 118-114 victory over the Utah Jazz.
The Cavs
trailed by as many as nine in the final period -- before James stole a pass,
dribbled the length of the floor, drawing a foul as he powered to the basket,
and converted the three-point play that energised his team.
James added
eight assists and seven rebounds for Cleveland, who survived 16 turnovers to
notch their seventh straight win and remain unbeaten in five home games this
season.
Kobe Bryant
was a late scratch with back trouble, watching from the sideline as his Los Angeles
Lakers fell 101-88 to the Miami Heat.
"I've
been dealing with the back a little bit during training camp," said the
37-year-old Bryant, who just this weekend was saying he wanted to play every
game he could in his 20th and possibly final season. "Today, I couldn't
shake it free."
Elsewhere
the Knicks beat the Raptors 111-109, the Hornets downed the Timberwolves 104-95
and the Celtics were too good for the Bucks 99-83.
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