NBA Saturday Prime Time: Durant Hits Dagger in Return to Oklahoma City

The NBA Saturday Prime Time game offered one of the most intriguing story lines of the 2016-2017 season with Kevin Durant making his return to Oklahoma City.  Stories emerged regarding the need for extra security and a restaurant declining to host a private party for the Golden State Warriors after the game. 

 It only added drama to the emotionally charged return for Durant. 

 Golden State started the game sluggish and a night after Draymond Green became the first player to record a triple-double without reaching double figures in points wound up in early foul trouble.  Allowing the Oklahoma City Thunder to take a seven point lead early on.  

 Durant also forced a number of shots and started the game 2-8 from the field. The Warriors were able to stay in the game by taking advantage of five turnovers in the first quarter  by Russell Westbrook and Stephen Curry helped Golden State take a six point lead after one. 

 With Westbrook on the bench, Golden State took advantage with Shaun Livingston who used his height difference against the over-matched defense of Cameron Payne. Durant also found his rhythm and he capped the second quarter off with an empathic dunk and a 23 point lead for the Warriors. 

 Things did get interesting in the third with Durant and Westbrook exchanging words, then Andre Roberson got in the face of his former teammate. The result was a double technical and Andre Iguodala also got a technical. 

 Oklahoma City seemed energized after the scuffle with Westbrook making threes and after a great defensive play on Green, former Warrior Anthony Morrow hitt a three to cut the lead to 12. 

 Ultimately the Warriors were too much to handle with Durant sealing the victory with a long three while being defend by Durant with under four minutes to play. 

Westbrook led the way for the Thunder with 47 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists, he did wind up with 11 turnovers as well, Victor Oladipo wound up with 20 points and 4 rebounds and Steven Adams added 13 points.  

For the Warriors, Durant wound up with 34 points to go along with 9 rebounds, Curry with a near triple-double with 26 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds and Klay Thompson added 26 as well.