Russell Westbrook did a bunch of Russell Westbrook Things Sunday night in a game the Oklahoma City Thunder desperately needed to win in order to stay in the running for the eighth seed in Western Conference. So, what were these Westbrook “Things”? Well, he scored 54 points (on 43 shots!), snagged 9 rebounds and dished out 8 assists…and picked up one very costly technical foul. The Thunder lost to the Indiana Pacers, which is bad enough. But the technical foul is Westbrook’s 16th of the season, meaning he must sit out the Thunder’s next game (against Portland on Monday night).
In order to make the playoffs, the Thunder must win their remaining two games (their final game is against Minnesota), while the Pelicans — the current eighth seed — need to drop two of their last three. As of this writing, the Pels are losing to the Rockets, but close out the season against the terrible Timberwolves before facing the Spurs in the final game of the season.
Now, instead of merely hoping for a Pels meltdown, the Thunder must also hope the league rescinds the technical foul (here’s video of it) — a decision that would definitely sit well with Kevin Durant.
That’s some bullshit
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) April 13, 2015
