Westbrook scores 32 in return; Thunder beat Knicks

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Russell Westbrook scored 32 points in his first game back from a broken right hand, and the Thunder rolled past the Knicks 105-78 on Friday night.

Westbrook was injured in the second game of the season and hadn't played since. He returned in grand fashion, making 12 of 17 shots, including 3 of 4 3-pointers, and adding eight assists and seven rebounds in just 23 minutes before checking out late in the third quarter because the Thunder were in control.

Amare Stoudemire had 20 points and nine rebounds for the Knicks, who shot 39 percent and scored a season-low point total in their third straight loss. Carmelo Anthony, a Top 10 scorer in the league, missed his second straight game with back spasms. He said before the game he was unsure when he would return.

Serge Ibaka scored 14 points and Jeremy Lamb added 13 points for the Thunder, who won consecutive games for the first time this season. Reigning MVP Kevin Durant still hasn't returned from a broken bone in his right foot, but he has been practicing.

Westbrook had 10 points and four assists in the first 7:13 to give the Thunder a 21-5 lead. After the second of back-to-back threes, he motioned like he was putting a gun back into a holster. By the time he took a break with 3:33 left in the first quarter, he had 14 points on 6-for-7 shooting and had four assists.

The Thunder continued to roll. Lamb came off the bench for Westbrook and scored 11 points during a 15-3 run that gave Oklahoma City a 40-13 lead.

Westbrook returned and he stayed hot. He had 20 points, seven assists and six rebounds in the first half to help the Thunder take a 59-33 lead at halftime.

Westbrook's lob to Andre Roberson for an alley-oop dunk put the Thunder ahead 67-40 in the third quarter, and Oklahoma City cruised from there. The Thunder's largest lead was 37 points.

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Thunder: Oklahoma City held New York to 4-for-22 shooting in the first quarter. ... The Thunder set a season high for points in the first half for the second straight game. ... Reggie Jackson had 10 points, six rebounds and four assists in his return to a backup role. He entered the game averaging 20.2 points and 7.8 assists per contest. ... Rookie Grant Jerrett got his first action for the Thunder. ... Steven Adams had a career high 13 rebounds.

Knicks: Derek Fisher, who played for the Thunder last season, coached against Oklahoma City for the first time. He received a loud cheer from the crowd during pregame introductions. ... The Knicks had one assist in the first quarter. ... JR Smith, who replaced Anthony in the starting lineup, scored two points on 1-for-9 shooting.

UP NEXT

Oklahoma City plays at New Orleans on Dec. 2.

New York plays host to Miami on Sunday.

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