Russell Westbrook Dominates in Return and Other Friday NBA Takeaways

The Oklahoma City Thunder recorded the most
points they've scored since Nov. 12 in Friday night's
105-78 win over the New York Knicks.
While OKC's defense clamped down on a lineup
missing superstar Carmelo Anthony to back spasms,
the offense got a jolt from a familiar friend. Three-
time All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook
returned from a fractured right hand he suffered in
just his second game of the season, and he quickly
proved there was no lasting impact.
The 26-year-old tallied an impressive 32 points,
eight assists and seven rebounds while converting on
12 of his 17 field-goal attempts.
And he did it all in 24 minutes, a historically
efficient rate of production.

The seventh-year veteran won't officially be
subjected to a minutes restriction, but his services
weren't in especially high demand after the Thunder
raced out to a 59-33 halftime lead with help from
20 of Westbrook's points. It's fortunate that head
coach Scott Brooks could ease him back into action
in his first appearance since Oct. 30, but all
indications are that Westbrook is just fine.

"It feels great [to be back]," he told reporters before
the game. "I feel great. Rested. So I'm happy to
be back and ready to go out and try to win."
Since the broken hand didn't keep him off his feet,
staying on the floor shouldn't be a problem.
"I've been able to run around, run and jump to keep
my legs conditioned to be able to play throughout a
game," Westbrook added. "So hopefully I'm
conditioned enough to be able to go through a game."
The bigger question was whether his shot would be
rusty.
The answer came via a 3-of-4 performance from
three-point range.
Westbrook's rapid return to form couldn't come at
a better time for the 5-12 Thunder. This club won't
be back to full strength until reigning MVP Kevin
Durant returns from a foot fracture (likely
sometime in December), but his sidekick appears to
have stopped the bleeding for the time being.
"The great ones make their teammates better,"
Brooks told reporters after the game.
Though often characterized as a shoot-first floor
general, it's become increasingly hard to deny
Westbrook's willingness to distribute the ball. It's
even harder to dismiss the extent to which his energy
and focus can become contagious.
"Russell has a great passion for the game, and he's
been a tremendous leader for us," Brooks told
media before Friday's contest. "He understands
what he brings to the team. He brings a toughness,
an emotional part that it takes for our team to be
successful. And he's obviously one of the best players
in the league, so we're all excited to have him
back."
Given the possibility that it will take 50 wins to
qualify for the playoffs out West, the Thunder
could ill-afford many more games without both of
their superstars. Though Reggie Jackson has filled
in admirably during Westbrook's absence, OKC
has been desperately short on firepower.