Westbrook has 33 points and 10 assists as Thunder beat Spurs in opener
Russell Westbrook had 33 points and 10 assists, and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the San Antonio Spurs 112-106 in the season opener for both teams at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Dion Waiters’ 14-foot fadeaway put the Thunder ahead for good with 1:34 left in the fourth quarter.
The Spurs got within 108-106 on Kawhi Leonard’s three-point play with 42 seconds to play. They had the ball down 2 with 21 seconds left, but Steven Adams blocked Danny Green’s 3-pointer, lifting the Thunder’s chance to win from 82% to 92%. It would have put the Spurs ahead. Kevin Durant followed with 2 free throws, and the Spurs got no closer.
During clutch time, the Thunder outscored the Spurs 18-9. Westbrook scored 7 of the Thunder’s 18 on 1 for 3 shooting and 4 for 4 at the line.
Durant scored 22 points but shot 6 for 19.
For the Spurs, Leonard had 32 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals.
The Thunder went 21 for 22 at the line to the Spurs’ 11 for 13.