Russell Westbrook is trying to put the Thunder on his back and carry them to the playoffs, but his efforts appear to be falling just short down the stretch.
The All-Star guard poured in a career-high 54 points Sunday and nearly notched his 12th triple-double of the season with nine rebounds and eight assists, but the Thunder still fell to the Pacers in Indianapolis, 116-104.
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To make matters worse for Oklahoma City's fading playoff chances, Westbrook received his 16th technical foul of the season in the loss, which could cost him the Thunder's next game if upheld. Fellow Thunder star Kevin Durant was not pleased with the technical call.
Russell Westbrook will face automatic 1-game suspension after 16th technical of year. Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) reacts: pic.twitter.com/5ARtcYUneB
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 13, 2015
Thunder coach Scott Brooks said following the game that he was confident that he will have Westbrook for the team's next game.
Scott Brooks on Westbrook's technical: I'm pretty confident that will be rescinded."
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) April 13, 2015
With the loss Sunday, the Thunder missed a critical opportunity to gain ground on the Pelicans — who fell to the Rockets, 121-114 — for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The two teams are tied with identical records of 43-37, but New Orleans owns the tie-breaker over Oklahoma City if the two finish the season with the same record.
This week, the Thunder and Pelicans both have two games remaining, with Oklahoma City set to face the Trail Blazers and the Timberwolves. New Orleans will also face Minnesota and finish the season against the Spurs.