Assist number nine for Russell Westbrook came with 2½ minutes remaining in the third quarter.
When the Thunder point guard returned following a spell on the bench three minutes into the final period, every possession and every pass became a chance for Westbrook to become basketball’s triple-double king.
That brought fans to their feet to record the moment, but they were left to wait. Thunder center Enes Kanter traveled on his way to the basket after a feed from Westbrook. Rookie Domantas Sabonis missed an open jumper off a feed from his point guard and then missed a layup that cost Westbrook the 10th assist.
Finally, with 4:17 remaining and the Nuggets leading by 13, Westbrook kicked to wide open Semaj Christon in the corner.
“I was open, so I shot it,” Christon said. “(Westbrook) always tells us, ‘If you’re open, shoot the ball.’ I was open and let it go.”
As the ball went through the net, giving Westbrook his record 42nd triple-double of the season, the crowd reached a fever pitch. Would the Nuggets faithful in that contingent have cheered so exuberantly if they knew Westbrook would deliver a dagger a few minutes later? It’s impossible to say, but the Nuggets didn’t appear to take exception with their fans appreciating the moment.
Jack Dempsey, The Associated Press
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook celebrates after hitting a buzzer beating three-point shot to win the game against the Denver Nuggets following a basketball game Sunday, April 9, 2017, in Denver. Oklahoma City beat Denver 106-105. Westbrook also broke the NBA record for triple doubles with 42.
Matthew Stockman, Getty Images
Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots a three-point shot at the buzzer against Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center on April 9, 2017 in Denver. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
Jack Dempsey, The Associated Press
Oklahoma City Thunder fans hold up a 42 after Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook set a new NBA record for triple doubles in a season during the second half of a basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Sunday, April 9, 2017, in Denver. Oklahoma City beat Denver 106-105.
Jack Dempsey, The Associated Press
An Oklahoma City Thunder fan wears a Russell Westbrook Fat Head after Westbrook set a new NBA record for triple doubles with 42 for the season against the Denver Nuggets Sunday, April 9, 2017, in Denver. Oklahoma City beat Denver 106-105.
Matthew Stockman, Getty Images
Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates after scoring a game-winning, three-point shot at the buzzer against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center on April 9, 2017 in Denver. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
Jack Dempsey, The Associated Press
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook celebrates after hitting a buzzer beater three point shot to win the game against the Denver Nuggets following a basketball game Sunday, April 9, 2017, in Denver. Oklahoma City beat Denver 106-105. Westbrook also broke the NBA record for triple doubles with 42.
Jack Dempsey, The Associated Press
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Semaj Christon (6) drives past Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) during the first half of a basketball game, Sunday, April 9, 2017, in Denver.
Jack Dempsey, The Associated Press
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) goes up for a shot against Denver Nuggets guard Gary Harris (14) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 9, 2017, in Denver.
Jack Dempsey, The Associated Press
Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) goes up for a shot against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Andre Roberson (21) during the second half of a basketball game Sunday, April 9, 2017, in Denver.
Jack Dempsey, The Associated Press
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook takes a shot over Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) during the first half of a basketball game Sunday, April 9, 2017, in Denver.
Matthew Stockman, Getty Images
Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket against Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center on April 9, 2017 in Denver.
Jack Dempsey, The Associated Press
Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) and head coach Michael Malone argue a call with referee Karl Lane (77) against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of a basketball game Sunday, April 9, 2017, in Denver.
Jack Dempsey, The Associated Press
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Taj Gibson (22) goes up for a shot against Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler (21) during the first half of a basketball game Sunday, April 9, 2017, in Denver.
Jack Dempsey, The Associated Press
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic is a finalist for the NBA's most improved player award.
Jack Dempsey, The Associated Press
Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jerami Grant (9) go after a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 9, 2017, in Denver.
Jack Dempsey, The Associated Press
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook celebrates after hitting a buzzer beating three point shot to win the game against the Denver Nuggets Sunday, April 9, 2017, in Denver. Oklahoma City defeated Denver 106-105. Westbrook also broke the NBA record for triple doubles with 42 for the season.
Jack Dempsey, The Associated Press
1 of 16
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook celebrates after hitting a buzzer beating three-point shot to win the game against the Denver Nuggets following a basketball game Sunday, April 9, 2017, in Denver. Oklahoma City beat Denver 106-105. Westbrook also broke the NBA record for triple doubles with 42.
“Man, it’s history,” Nuggets guard said. “You knew that was going to happen. It’s not the first time that’s happened here. The fans have been great, and the atmosphere and electricity in the air was crazy. It’s not every day you can see someone accomplish something like that.”
Westbrook concluded the performance with a game-winning 3-pointer that gave him 50 points.
“I practice that shot every day in pregame,” he said. “I definitely felt confident in shooting that shot.”
Nuggets throttled on boards. Denver ended its home season as the NBA’s most deficient defense with a strong defensive performance in most regards.
The Nuggets limited Oklahoma City to 41.7 percent shooting and 24 percent shooting from 3-point range. But Denver, which played without forward (back), could not close those possessions with defensive rebounds. The Thunder, which beat the Nuggets for the ninth consecutive time, had an 18-4 edge on the offensive glass, part of a 54-42 victory on the boards overall.
BOXSCORE:
The minus-12 rebounding result was Denver’s worst of the season.
