Durant's points help Warriors silence Thunder

Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) shoots the basketball against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jerami Grant (9) during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 122-96. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Durant took it to his former team on Wednesday, erupting for 40 points to propel the Golden State Warriors to a 121-100 NBA triumph over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Durant, who scored 39 points in the Warriors 26-point win over the Thunder in November, was brutally efficient, connecting on 13 of his 16 shots from the field, including five of seven from three-point range.

He had 12 rebounds, four assists and three blocks to help the Warriors withstand Thunder guard Russell Westbrook’s 21st triple-double of the season.

“The ball just found whoever was open,” Durant said, “and we did a good job of making the shots.”

Durant downplayed the significance of facing his former club.

“It’s good to see everybody,” he said, “but once the ball tips, you’re just playing. Simple as that.”

But Warriors coach Steve Kerr said he wasn’t surprised the match-up brought out the best in Durant.

“Every player in the NBA wants to play well against his old team,” Kerr said. “For most guys, you feel that little extra juice. I think it’s even more so with KD because of his history with that franchise... for sure he’s motivated and it’s a big deal.”

The gloss of Westbrook’s 27 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists was somewhat dimmed by his 10 turnovers.

“It was big,” Westbrook said of the turnovers. “They scored off of pretty much all of them. That’s what they do.”

Tensions mounted late in the second quarter, when Golden State center Zaza Pachulia sent Westbrook to the floor with a flagrant foul.

“I don’t play like that. I’m going to get (him) back,” Westbrook vowed. “Whenever that is, I don’t know when it’s going to be. But I don’t play that game.”

Westbrook’s ensuing free throws made it a tie game, 56-56, at halftime, but the Warriors, who improved their league-best record to 36-6, seized control in the third quarter, when they out-scored the Thunder 37-22.

By Stephen Rutto 57 mins ago
Athletics
Kenya hoping to defend World Cross Country title in Belgrade
Football
Fifa threatens Kenya with ban again
Unique Sports
SCHOOLS: Lenana School, Kisumu Girls and Agoro Sare turn focus on national games finals
Motorsport
Safari Rally: 29 drivers set for epic showdown as Safari Rally zooms off