CHICAGO _ Russell Westbrook posted a triple-double against the Bulls for the first time Saturday night, finishing with 12 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists in just 28 minutes of the Thunder's 101-69 cakewalk at the United Center.
The Bulls were the only team that had kept Westbrook from what is now almost a statistical norm for the league's reigning most valuable player.
As for the Bulls' point guard play, well, Kris Dunn made his season debut and his case to supplant Jerian Grant as the starter. But he left with about five minutes remaining, wincing after banging his injured finger while pursuing a loose ball, proving yet again how unstable that position has been for the franchise.
Dunn, who returned from the open dislocation of his left index finger he suffered Oct. 6, finished with eight points, four rebounds, three assists, three steals, four turnovers and five fouls in 22 busy minutes.
But Dunn and Grant combined to miss their first 11 shots, and Grant finished 0-for-7 with four assists in 21 minutes. Worse, Lauri Markkanen attempted just seven shots. That's as much on the point guards as the rookie.
"We took a huge step in the wrong direction," Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said. "We didn't compete. Out body language sucked. It's very disappointing."
Markkanen rallied to finish with 15 points and eight rebounds. The rookie has posted at least 13 points and eight rebounds in all five games.
Carmelo Anthony and Paul George combined to sink nine 3-pointers and scored 21 and 20 points, respectively.
The Thunder ran away and hid with an 18-2 run that featured the Bulls opening the second quarter by shooting 1 for 10 with six turnovers. The Bulls finished the period with eight points, tying their lowest quarter output in the last 14 years.
"There's nothing structurally wrong with the finger. He still has some soreness in the joint. But that's to be expected," Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said of Dunn. "He should be able to make an impact on that defensive end with his length. He can get downhill.
Perhaps soon enough as the starter.
