Durant had 34 points and 14 rebounds while playing all of regulation for the first time all season, and the Thunder claimed a spot in the NBA Finals by beating the San Antonio Spurs 107-99 on Wednesday night.
Russell Westbrook added 25 points for the Thunder, who trailed Game 6 of the Western Conference finals by 18 in the first half and erased a 15-point halftime deficit before pulling ahead to stay in the fourth.“It’s an amazing moment for him to play like this in this moment, in this setting, and I wasn’t going to take him out,” Brooks said.”I was not going to take him out. I don’t care how many times he looked at me fatigued. He has enough, and I think all of our guys have enough to play. You just have to fight through it.”
Durant grabbed the final rebound, dribbled the ball across half court and raised his right fist to celebrate with a sold-out crowd wearing free white T-shirts. The franchise will play for the NBA title for the first time since 1996, before relocating from Seattle.Even before the final buzzer, Durant indulged by hugging his mother and brother seated courtside after a foul was called with 14 seconds remaining.”I never want to take those moments for granted,” Durant said. “I know it’s just one step closer to our dreams, but it felt good.”
There certain skills that just cannot be taught no matter how many hours you spend in a gym. Heart, determination and the drive to do whatever it takes are things that just born within a person. Two days ago I wrote an article about Durant winning a ring before Lebron. Last night showed us why this is no longer a question but a reality. Now I hope Miami makes it, so Durant can show him how to get it done.
The Thunder, only three years removed from a 3-29 start that had them on pace for the worst record in NBA history, went through the only three West teams to reach the Finals since 1998 — Dallas, the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio — to earn their shot at the title.Game 1 of the NBA Finals will be Tuesday night in Oklahoma City against either Boston or Miami. The Celtics lead that series 3-2 and can earn a trip to the Finals with a win at home in Game 6 on Thursday night.
GameHighlights Source: NBA.com
