Russell Westbrook exploded for 46 points but his Oklahoma City Thunder fell to the Atlanta Hawks, 110-108 on Monday. OKC had a superstar but the Hawks proved team play is still the better option by winning the nail-biting game.
Dennis Schroder, who had 31 points, and Paul Millsap, who had a double-double of 30 points and 11 rebounds, led the way for the Hawks. Four starters scored in double-figures for Atlanta.
Dwight Howard missed the game and the Hawks went small to start the game. It paid off for Atlanta with Thabo Sefalosha contributing 15 points and Kent Bazemore ending up with 12.
Atlanta led 22-16 after the first quarter but the Thunder came back to lead 53-48 at the half. The Hawks led 81-78 entering the final quarter but OKC took control late in the fourth getting the 104-98 lead in the final four minutes.
But the Hawks played with poise late ending the game on a 12-4 run.
Westbrook shot 16-of-33 from the field but missed the most crucial one; a three-pointer with one second left that would have given the Thunder the win.
Westbrook had two attempts thwarted previously that could have tied the game. Westbrook also just missed a triple-double with 11 rebounds and 7 assists.
Watch Westbrook struggle to get the basket late:
