Russell Westbrook recorded his second straight triple-double, putting up 39 points, albeit on 38 shots, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists in a losing effort. Eric Bledsoe finished with 28 points, 13 rebounds, and nine assists on 11 of 16 shooting. Bledsoe played a much more controlled game for Phoenix. The Thunder came in having won seven in a row and looking up in the standings. This loss sets the Thunder back with a big game coming up Friday in Portland.
New Orleans is only one game back in the standings from the eighth spot, as the Pelicans try and whether the storm without Anthony Davis. The Suns need to get on a roll and do it fast. Phoenix plays host to the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday in a game that really is a win-win for the Thunder. OKC falls to 2.5 games behind the Spurs for the seventh seed in the conference.
Russell Westbrook will most likely be the Western Conference Player of the Month. He's averaging close to a triple-double for the month, but performances like tonight are what make him so polarizing. Yeah, he dropped a triple-double, but it came on 38 shots and he never really looked to get anyone involved. The Suns came out and hit the Thunder in the mouth early. They started off with more intensity and the game just felt like it was more important to Phoenix. They ultimately got the win because Phoenix absolutely abused Enes Kanter in the pick n roll. Kanter has had a nice start to his time in Oklahoma City, but Thunder fans clearly see the value in Steven Adams after a game like tonight. Bledsoe blew by Kanter multiple times for a lot of easy buckets.
Now, the Thunder has a short turn around. After an overtime game in Phoenix, OKC will take on Portland on little to no rest. Assuming Portland wins that game as well, OKC could potentially be tied with New Orleans in the loss column for the eighth seed, with New Orleans holding the tiebreaker and Anthony Davis set to return in a couple of days.
There is a caveat, though. With the play of the new guys and Russell Westbrook's incredible play of late, people have seemingly forgotten about the reigning MVP. You think number 35 would've helped tonight? If Kevin Durant can come back at full strength and not have to worry about the screw in his foot, the Thunder will be fine. That's a big IF though, and the Thunder is running out of time.