Warriors Beat Thunder in Kevin Durant's Homecoming

Kevin Durant guards Russell Westbrook during the third quarter of  last nights game. (image retrieved from: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/eNmddiL-ZwE/maxresdefault.jpg).

The Golden State Warriors lead the Oklahoma City by double-digits throughout the majority of the game, but you wouldn't be able to tell by the roar of the crowd. It was the most exciting, intense and emotional blowout maybe ever.

The Warriors beat the Thunder 130-114 in Kevin Durant's first game back in Oklahoma City. Russell Westbrook scored a game high 47 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists. Durant had 34 points in his homecoming.

The game featured a chaotic media frenzy. ESPN brought SportsCenter and many other programs to prepare for the big game. Fans in OKC were a little excited too.

It was the fans first glimpse of their former savior in person. They flocked to the hotel where the Warriors were staying, came several hours early to boo him while he warmed up and when it was time to call Durant's name, the fans let him hear the heartache he caused.

Louder than the boo's however were the deafening cheers Russell Westbrook received during introductions. The crowd never lost their energy even while the team faced a 20 point deficit.

Every time Durant touched the ball he was immediately and emphatically booed.

The Thunder were able to jump out to an early lead in the game, but the Warriors star power started to overwhelm Oklahoma City. A long second quarter scoring drought sent the Thunder into halftime down 23 points.

Coming out of the break the Thunder started to show signs of life. The game never seemed out of the Warriors hands, but Westbrook and the Thunder weren't ready to give up yet. About midway through the third quarter Westbrook started to find his groove and it was with Kevin Durant guarding him.

Durant had started the game on Roberson, but was now exclusively defending Westbrook when the guard came up the court. Russell was up for the challenge and roasted Durant on two straight possessions forcing a Warriors timeout. Westbrook walked by Durant and started yelling, "I'm coming!". Durant began to jaw back at Westbrook, the former duo now cementing their estranged relationship.

Not long after this exchange Durant drove inside with Roberson defending and drew a foul. Durant bounced back up and he and Roberson started to exchange some words at a very close distance. The two had to be seperated and you could hear the crowd break out in cheers for what Roberson had just done.

At one point during the fourth quarter the Thunder cut it to 12 and it seemed like OKC might be able to pull it off. But, like he did so many times before in the building, Durant hit a long three point shot to seal the game for his new team.

There were no handshakes. No waves. Both teams walked to their respective tunnels, never glancing back. These two teams were supposed to become the next great rivals of the NBA, battling for Western Conference superiority, but that was quickly ruined on the Fourth of July.

The games between these two teams may not be ultra competitive like in years past, but with Westbrook on board, Thunder and co. sure show a lot of heart in the face of defeat.


Images from last night:

There is a small child walking around dressed as a Durant cupcake pic.twitter.com/wDJveTaI6W

— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) February 12, 2017

Kevin Durant and Andre Roberson were getting that head butting battle in #GSWvsOKC pic.twitter.com/efq5mpO7Fa

— Andrew Jerell Jones (@sluggahjells) February 12, 2017

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook👀😤 pic.twitter.com/xZkxT2keHv

— NBA Inside Stuff (@NBAInside_Stuff) February 12, 2017