Once again, the Thunder were in it at the end, but Oklahoma City could not overcome a 40-point night from James Harden as OKC fell to the Rockets, 116-112.
Former Thunder guard, Russell Westbrook, was an assist shy of a triple-double in his first game against his old team. Westbrook scored 21 points, dished out 12 assists and grabbed nine rebounds.
Both Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dennis Schröder scored 22 points a piece against Houston. Danilo Gallinari had 17, while both Chris Paul and Nerlens Noel added 15.
Steven Adams left the game midway through the fourth quarter. Erik Horne of The Athletic tweeted the Thunder confirmed after the game that Adams was dealing with a left knee contusion.
Adams did pull down 12 rebounds, but scored only six points.
There was no apparent animosity between Westbrook and his former organization.
As Kristie Rieken of the Associated Press noted, prior to tipoff, Westbrook was friendly with his former coach and teammates, giving Billy Donovan a hug “before slapping hands and greeting virtually every player on the bench.”
The game was also a homecoming of sorts for Chris Paul, who was traded to the Thunder from Houston in the trade for Westbrook.
Paul was greeted by a standing ovation during introductions and was honored with a tribute video during the game.
