Durant lifts Thunder past Warriors

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma (AFP) –

Kevin Durant, pictured here on November 6, recorded his first career triple double as he powered the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 119-109 win over the Golden State Warriors.

Kevin Durant recorded his first career triple double as he powered the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 119-109 win over the Golden State Warriors.

Durant finished with 25 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists Sunday for the Thunder, who have won seven of their past eight National Basketball Association games.

“Some guys can just pass, some guys can just shoot, some guys can just rebound,” Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks said. “Obviously, with Kevin, he can do many things on the floor and we always have to challenge him because we don’t know how good he will end up being.”

Russell Westbrook also had a strong game for Oklahoma City, finishing with 30 points, five steals and seven assists.

Kevin Martin came off the bench to score 23 points.

Stephen Curry had 22 points and David Lee finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds and five assists for Golden State, who had a modest two-game winning streak halted.

Golden State cut the Thunders’ lead to 105-98 halfway through the fourth after trailing by 21 points at the end of the third quarter.

But then Durant nailed a three pointer with 3:27 remaining as the Thunder went on a 10-4 swing of their own.

Oklahoma City then held on for the win as the Warriors failed to get within single digits for the rest of the contest.

The Thunder took a 26-25 edge after one quarter before Martin scored 10 points in the second as they led 59-46 at the half.