Westbrook takes Thunder to win over Nuggets

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Russell Westbrook had 21 points and a career-high 17 assists, and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Denver Nuggets 119-94 on Sunday night without Kevin Durant.

Durant was out after a procedure on Sunday to replace a screw that was causing soreness in his surgically repaired right foot. The reigning NBA MVP is expected to return this season.

Westbrook, playing with two new starters, put on a show. He had 10 assists in the second quarter and 12 in the first half.

Enes Kanter had 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Thunder, who have won six straight and eight of nine. Serge Ibaka added 20 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.

Ty Lawson scored 17 points and Danilo Gallinari added 16 for Denver, which has lost seven of eight.