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Thunder 106, Spurs 94
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
OKLAHOMA CITY — Forward Kevin Durant scored 28 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 106-94 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
The win gave the Thunder a 4-0 season sweep over San Antonio and ended the Spurs’ 19-game winning streak. Just as important, Oklahoma City now trails San Antonio by two games in the loss column in the Western Conference standings with eight games left.
It was a tight game until the fourth quarter. But Oklahoma City (55-19) had too much energy and San Antonio (59-17) was unable to keep pace on either end.
With 5:25 left in the game, Thunder guard Russell Westbrook closed out the competitive portion of the game when the came up with a steal that led to an uncontested reverse, windmill dunk. It gave Oklahoma City a 12-point advantage and forced Spurs coach Gregg Popvich to call a timeout.
When the Spurs came back on the court, the starters were on the bench as the Spurs seemingly gave in to the Thunder pressure.
Guard Patty Mills paced the Spurs with 21 points off the bench. Forward Tim Duncan added 17 points and eight rebounds. Forward Kawhi Leonard scored 17. Guard Tony Parker was held to six points and three assists in the loss.
Durant made 11-of-26 shots from the field to go with seven rebounds. He has now scored 25 points in 39 straight games.
Westbrook added 27 points, six assists and four steals. Forward Serge Ibaka had 12 rebounds and 11 points. Guard Reggie Jackson came off the bench to score 14 points and forward Caron Butler racked up five steals.
NOTES: Oklahoma City C Kendrick Perkins rejoined the starting lineup after sitting out the previous 17 games with a left groin strain. Coach Scott Brooks said Perkins would be on a minute restriction as he works him back slowly, and Perkins will not play Friday at Houston. G Russell Westbrook also will sit out Friday. … San Antonio coach Greg Popovich was asked why the NBA has seen so many long winning streaks the last few seasons. “I have more important things to think about,” he said. … Popvich also gave his opinion on whether he thinks Oklahoma City F Kevin Durant should win the MVP. “It looks like it’s down to two,” Popvich said. “Take your pick.” … Despite recent rumors, Oklahoma City G Derek Fisher said he is not next in line to be the head coach for the New York Knicks. “That is not in my radar or in my scope or anything that I’ve thought about, even coaching in general,” Fisher said.
