On this day in 2016, the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Dallas Mavericks 118-104 in the Western Conference first-round for a 4-1 series win. Thunder’s All-Stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook led the efforts. Westbrook scored 36 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists. Durant contributed 33 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists in the game five series win. The 2015-16 Thunder season was one of the most successful in recent franchise memory, OKC finished 3rd in the Western Conference standings with a 55-27 record and reached the conference final for the seventh time in franchise history. In the 2016 NBA playoffs, the Thunder defeated the Mavericks in the first round, beat the San Antonio Spurs 4-2 in the conference semifinals, and narrowly lost to the Warriors in the conference finals. The game seven loss to the Warriors was especially heartbreaking as the Thunder, at one point, had a 3-1 lead. Unfortunately, the Thunder’s hopes of returning to the NBA Finals were dashed by the “splash brothers.” In Game Seven, Curry and Thompson both shot over 50% from the three-point line and combined for 13 made threes. The difficult season-ending loss would also be the last game Durant played in an OKC uniform. Durant currently plays for the New Jersey Nets and Westbrook for the Washington Wizards.
Today in Sports History: April 25
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 28: Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder high fives Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the game against the Golden State Warriors in Game Six of the Western Conference Finals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs on May 28, 2016 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)