The Thunder got an early return on their investment, with Mitch McGary accounting for a double-double in only his 3rd career NBA game.
The Oklahoma City Thunder trounced the Los Angeles Clippers 131-108 thanks to a 29-point performance by Kevin Durant and a breakout performance by rookie Mitch McGary.
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The Thunder and Clippers kept the game close in the first quarter with the Thunder taking a 28-26 lead despite the Clippers being without All-Star F Blake Griffin indefinitely for elbow surgery. With a double-double performance by Chris Paul and a 21-point game for Jamal Crawford, the Clippers stayed in it with a 66-56 score at halftime.
But then the Thunder’s rookie Mitch McGary came in and starting making highlight reels even as reigning MVP Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook combined for 48 points in the game. McGary, in only his third NBA game since being drafted No. 21 overall by the Thunder in the 2014 NBA draft, put up a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds in less than 24 minutes on the court.
The Thunder dominated the Clippers in the third quarter, erasing LA’s chances of a comeback with a 35-19 spread and making it a 101-75 game heading into the final quarter. The Clippers were able to outscore the Thunder 33-30 in the final quarter, but it was not enough to overcome the incredible performances of Durant, Westbroo and McGary, who won 131-108.
With the win the Clippers rise above the .500 mark to get a 26-25 record.
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