The Oklahoma City Thunder inched closer to clinching a playoff spot with a big road win over the Houston Rockets on Saturday, and part of what made it so impressive was the role Russell Westbrook played on the defensive end.
After OKC’s 108-102 victory, Thunder guard Alex Abrines told reporters that Westbrook asked to guard Rockets star (and former teammate) James Harden down the stretch of the game, per Fred Katz of the Norman Transcript.
Alex Abrines said Russell Westbrook asked to guard James Harden late in the game.
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) April 8, 2018
When asked about Abrines’ comments, Westbrook replied, “When the game’s on the line, I knew what needed to be done.”
Westbrook on asking to guard Harden late: “When the game’s on the line, I knew what needed to be done, and I told Paul and Corey to take somebody else” pic.twitter.com/CRjJS5pFVH
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) April 8, 2018
The reigning MVP’s effort on the current MVP frontrunner was tremendous to say the least — Harden shot just 1-of-5 for three points in the fourth quarter as Westbrook forced him into two turnovers (on top of picking off an additional pass by Gerald Green intended for Harden). Westbrook also blocked Harden at the rim in an emphatic sequence that helped swing the game’s momentum.
The seven-time All-Star Westbrook, who spent the first three quarters of the game matched up against Chris Paul in his usual point guard assignment, still managed to finish with 24 points, seven rebounds, and 10 assists in the win. A locked-in defensive effort on top of that is a great way for him to counteract some of the criticisms he has been taking recently for his late-game play.
