If Oklahoma City misses the playoffs, it will not be for a lack of Russell Westbrook’s effort.
The MVP-candidate point guard did everything he could — he was even efficient early, scoring or assisting on 30 of the first 32 points the Thunder scored. He struggled some as the game went on but he still put up a career-best 54 points.
It wasn’t enough; the Pacers won and due to a technical foul on Westbrook — his 16th — the Thunder could be in a lot of trouble. Still, the Thunder aren’t here without Westbrook’s nights like this (and the string of triple-doubles).