DENVER — First, Russell Westbrook broke Oscar Robertson’s record for most triple-doubles in a season. Then, he broke the Denver Nuggets’ hearts.
Westbrook’s 36-foot dagger at the buzzer gave Oklahoma City a 106-105 victory, eliminating the Nuggets from playoff contention and capping an historic Sunday afternoon in which he scored 50 points to go with 15 rebounds and 10 assists.
Westbrook’s 42nd triple-double is one more than the “Big O” had for the Cincinnati Royals in 1961-62, a mark that many in the NBA had considered unbreakable until Westbrook’s incredible run.
The crowd gave Westbrook a standing ovation after he broke Robertson’s record with his 10th assist with 4:17 remaining.
Then, those same fans stood in stunned silence after watching Westbrook score his team’s final 15 points, including the game-winner after Steven Adams took the inbounds pass from Kyle Single with 2.9 seconds left and dished to Westbrook, whose long jumper ringed through the iron as the horn sounded.
“It was a good defense,” lamented Nuggets guard Gary Harris. “He’s had a hell of a season. I think he might have just locked up the MVP with that one right there.”
Westbrook insisted his buzzer beater wasn’t a low-percentage prayer.
“I practice that shot everyday pregame,” he said.
Same spot. And, he said, usually the same result.
“So, I definitely feel confident in shooting that shot,” he said.
Westbrook had a double-double by halftime but didn’t get his triple-double until feeding Semaj Christon in the right corner for a 3-pointer that pulled the Thunder to 101-91 with more than four minutes left.
With his 10th assist and his record in the books — after four tries at that final assist — Westbrook took care of the scoring himself the rest of the way.
He followed a pair of layups with six free throws — half of them coming after Nikola Jokic was whistled for a flagrant foul and a technical — then added another layup.
“It was like a video game,” Christon said. “I loved watching it.”
Westbrook’s biggest bucket was his last.
“Pure adrenaline, emotions running high, game-winning shot, it is something you dream about as a little kid to be able to do that on the road especially from that distance,” Westbrook said. “It is something you definitely will never forget.”
HAWKS 126, CAVALIERS 125, OT
ATLANTA — Paul Millsap scored 22 points and Atlanta took advantage of Cleveland’s fourth-quarter collapse to overcome a 26-point deficit and stun the Cavaliers.
Kyrie Irving scored 45 points for Cleveland, and LeBron James had a triple-double with 32 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists before the four-time MVP fouled out in overtime.
Tim Hardaway Jr. added 21 points to help Atlanta beat Cleveland for the second straight time.
The defending champion Cavaliers dropped into a tie with Boston atop the Eastern Conference. Both teams have two regular-season games remaining. If the Cavs and Celtics finish with the same record, Cleveland will get the top seed for winning the season series.
The Hawks wiped out a 26-point deficit in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Cavs 44-18 in the period and forcing overtime on Millsap’s baseline jumper at the buzzer.
ROCKETS 135, KINGS 128
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — James Harden had 35 points, 15 assists and 11 rebounds for his 21st triple-double of the season, leading Houston past Sacramento.
Harden has scored 30 or more points and had double-digit assists in 29 games.
Ryan Anderson made six 3-pointers and had 21 points for Houston. Clint Capela and Lou Williams each had 18 points, and Bobby Brown made four 3-pointers and finished with 16 points.
Skal Labissiere had 25 points for the Kings, and Ty Lawson added 20 points and 11 assists.
RAPTORS 110, KNICKS 97
NEW YORK — DeMar DeRozan scored 35 points and Toronto beat New York to wrap up at least the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Toronto pulled away to reach 50 victories for the second straight season. The Raptors can still finish second if they beat Cleveland in their regular-season finale and Boston loses its final two.
Kyle Lowry added 17 points and 11 assists for Toronto. New York rookie Willy Hernangomez tied his career high with 24 points and had 11 rebounds.
PISTONS 103, GRIZZLIES 90
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Reggie Bullock and Boban Marjanovic each scored 14 points and Detroit used a 3-point shooting spree in the fourth quarter to beat Memphis.
The Pistons, who trailed by 12 early in the third quarter, shot 6 of 7 from 3-point range in the fourth to pull away from Memphis. The Grizzlies played their reserves in the fourth with the seventh seed in the Western Conference already secured.
Marjanovic also had 10 rebounds, and Darrun Hilliard scored 11 of his 13 points in the fourth.
Mike Conley led Memphis with 15 points.
SUNS 124, MAVERICKS 111
PHOENIX — Devin Booker and T.J. Warren each scored 21 points to help Phoenix beat Dallas in the Suns’ home finale.
Booker went to the bench for good with 8:35 left in the third quarter. Booker, with a 3-pointer less than two minutes into the game, passed Kobe Bryant to move into fourth place on the NBA scoring list of players before their 21st birthday. Booker, with 2,774 career points, trails Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant and leader LeBron James.
The Mavericks rested starters Dirk Nowitzki, Nerlens Noel and Wesley Matthews in the second half. Yogi Ferrell and Dwight Powell led Dallas with 21 points each.
Lakers 110,
Timberwolves 109
LOS ANGELES (AP) — D’Angelo Russell made a 3-pointer as time expired and Los Angeles overcame a huge game by Karl-Anthony Towns to beat Minnesota.
Tyler Ennis added a career-high 20 to help the Lakers win their fourth straight game.
Towns had 40 points on 17-of-22 shooting and grabbed 21 rebounds, one shy from tying his career high, and Andrew Wiggins had 41. Minnesota has lost four in a row and 10 of 13.