In one of the most exciting games of the first week of the NBA season, the Thunder (2-0) were able to overcome an 18-point deficit heading into the fourth quarter before eventually dispatching the Orlando Magic (0-2) in double overtime Friday by a score of 139-136.
In an offense-laden affair, the Magic stormed to an early lead by shooting over 50 percent from the field through the first three quarters, but they faded late in the contest while the Thunder gained steam. Four players finished with 20-plus points for the Magic, with Victor Oladipo’s triple double (21 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists in 51 minutes) representing the most well-rounded stat line of the quartet. Oladipo also kept the Magic alive when all hope seemed lost, nailing a game-tying three-pointer as the first overtime period expired.
Along with Oladipo, Nikola Vucevic, Tobias Harris, and Evan Fournier were the others who surpassed 20 points. Vucevic keyed the Magic’s early success, nailing his first nine shots before finishing the night with 26 points on a 10-for-14 mark from the field, while Harris accumulated 30 points and nine rebounds. Fournier finished with 22 points on 8-for-21 shooting.
As per usual, the Thunder’s two stars, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, were the driving forces behind the team’s comeback win, as the duo combined for 91 of the team’s 139 points. It marked the first time since March 2012 that both players tallied more than 40 points in the same game.
Durant was the steadier of the two from the field for much of the contest and churned out 43 points and 12 boards, but seemed to lose steam offensively down the stretch while playing a game-high 54 minutes. However, he found enough within himself to hold off a last-ditch effort by the Magic in double overtime, blocking two shots in the final three seconds. Westbrook, meanwhile, shook off some early shooting woes to lead all scorers with 48 points to go along with 11 rebounds and eight assists. Westbrook caught fire in the fourth quarter and the two overtime periods, most notably banking in a three-pointer in the waning seconds that sent the contest to the extra period.
Oklahoma City will likely skip practice Saturday and return home for its next game Sunday against the Denver Nuggets, while the Magic will look to notch their first win Sunday in Chicago versus the Bulls.
