Russell Westbrook once again returned to the house he built with a new team, and he surprised those watching on with a rare sight.
Meanwhile, a couple of Eastern Conference juggernauts went toe-to-toe — with two superstars trading blows.
Read on for a wrap of Wednesday’s (AEDT) NBA action.
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Former Thunder superstar and new Kings ball-handler Westbrook again returned to Oklahoma City, and in his maiden Sacramento start, Westbrook stunned with his knockdown shooting from distance.
The usually-downhill-driving guard began his night 3-3 from three-point distance, which has historically not been a forte during his time in the league.
The veteran point guard is a lowly career 30.6 per cent three-point shooter, but he’s started the new season shooting it at a 50 per cent clip.
Westbrook finished his night with just shy of a double-double, putting up 16 points on 4-8 three-point shooting, nine rebounds and four assists in the Kings’ 107-101 loss.
The soon-to-be 37-year-old again received a standing ovation from the Oklahoma City fans, with the 2016-17 league MVP having been an integral part of numerous deep playoff runs across 11 decorated seasons with the franchise.
“There was a little bit of a feeling coming into this building that injects a level of confidence into Russell Westbrook; (jokingly) I wonder why that would be,” said Kayte Christensen on the Kings broadcast.
Westbrook cooled offensively as the night went on, but he continued to impact the contest as a defensive nuisance, constantly looking to disrupt the Thunder’s sets with active hands.
And early in the fourth period, Westbrook again silenced the home faithful by knocking down his fourth triple of the night to ensure the result would go down to the wire.
“Russ on a heater tonight in his return to Oklahoma City,” broadcast caller Mark Jones said.
But despite entering the fourth quarter with a three-point lead, the 1-2 Kings were overrun by the reigning champion Thunder, who moved to 5-0 in their title defence after outscoring the visitors by nine points in the last 12 minutes.
It was led by last season’s league and finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who poured in 31 points on 14-26 shooting to go with nine rebounds and four assists.
Russell Westbrook showed out in his return to Oklahoma City, while Giannis starred for the Bucks.Source: FOX SPORTS
BUCKS TOP KNICKS IN BIG EAST BOUT
In Wisconsin, the Milwaukee Bucks moved to 3-1 on the season after staving off the New York Knicks as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jalen Brunson traded blows.
The ‘Greek Freak’ top-scored with 37 points on a scintillating 16-22 from the field, adding eight rebounds and seven assists.
Knicks superstar Brunson kept pace with the Bucks’ MVP, though, pouring in 36 points of his own on 14-25 shooting.
Milwaukee outscored New York by seven points in the final quarter to cement the victory, with the Bucks now in possession of the East’s equal-third-best record.