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Thunder 111, Hawks 109
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
OKLAHOMA CITY — Forward Kevin Durant scored 41 points and hit the game-winning shot for the Oklahoma City Thunder in a 111-109 comeback victory over the Atlanta Hawks Monday at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. With 2:34 left, Durant went to the foul line and hit one of two to close Atlanta’a lead down to 107-105. Atlanta forward Paul Millsap missed a jumper and Durant made him pay with a contested
layup to tie the game.
Millsap tried to post up guard Reggie Jackson but Durant came from behind with the blocked shot.
After another loose-ball scramble, the Hawks (23-21) got a wide-open 3-pointer attempt that was off. But Millsap got the rebound. However, a few seconds later, Millsap was called for traveling and Oklahoma City (36-10) got the ball back with 34 seconds on the clock. Coming out of a timeout, guard Derek Fisher got the ball to Durant. With forward DeMarre Carroll guarding him, Durant hit a step-back jumper to put the Thunder up 109-107 with 25 seconds left.
Millsap answered right back when he drove into the lane and flipped a left-handed shot over guard Thabo Sefolosha.
With 22 seconds left, the Thunder took over. Durant got the ball at the top of the key. The Hawks sent a double-team at him but he drove the other way and knocked down a 15-foot jumper with 1.5 left over the double team.
Atlanta was unable to get a shot off in the final seconds.
Along with Durant’s 41 points, he collected five assists and three blocked shots. He also extended his scoring streak to 11 games with at least 30 points.
Jackson added 18 points and five assists. Forward Serge Ibaka had six blocked shots.
The Hawks had seven players score in double figures. Millsap led with 23 points on 9-for-19 shooting. Guard Shelvin Mack and Carroll each posted 15 points. Forward Mike Scott came off the bench to score 16 points.
NOTES: For the second week in a row and the fourth time this season, Oklahoma City F Kevin Durant was named the NBA’s Western Conference Player of the Week. He averaged 38 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6.3 assists from Jan. 20 through Sunday. … The Eastern Conference Player of the Week was Atlanta F Paul Millsap. He led the Hawks to a 3-1 record while averaging 21.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.5 steals. … Atlanta G Kyle Korver hit a 3-pointer to start the game. It extended his NBA-record streak to 113 consecutive games with a 3-pointer. … More than 1,000
military personnel were in attendance for the Thunder’s sixth annual Military Appreciation Night. “I think it’s great,” Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks said. “It’s very cool to see. Our season ticket holders are very generous to give up a lot of their tickets for tonight.”
