“I don’t think he called bank,” Warriors coach Mark Jackson told reporters after the game.
The most surprised person about the basket might have been Durant, who notched 33 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. It helped lead the Thunder to their second tight victory in as many nights after a stirring overtime triumph at Portland Monday night.
“It’s one of those things where you shoot it and you’re like, ‘Aw, that’s a terrible shot,’ ” Durant told the Associated Press of his game winner. “When it went in, I was kind of surprised.”
It was Ellis’ ninth career 40-point performance and matched the NBA’s highest-scoring game this season, set by Kobe Bryant against Phoenix on Jan. 10.
“We have to break that cycle,” Ellis told the AP of the Warriors’ loss, their sixth in their last nine games. “The games we should win, we’ve got to start winning. And the games like this, we should go out and compete and give ourselves a chance to win.”
STUDS
Golden State G Monta Ellis: Ripped Oklahoma City for 48 points, seven rebounds, two assists and was plus-5 in the Warriors’ loss to the Thunder.
Oklahoma City F Kevin Durant: Went for 33 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in the Thunder’s victory at Golden State.
Miami G Dwyane Wade: Went for 26 points, four rebounds, six assists, three steals and a block and was plus-2 in the Heat’s victory over Cleveland.
Indiana F Darren Collison: Notched 25 points, four rebounds, five assists and was plus-8 in the Pacers’ victory over Utah.
Phoenix G Steve Nash: Celebrated his birthday with a game-winning shot to cap an 18-point, 11-assist effort in the Suns’ victory at Milwaukee. Nash was plus-14 in the victory.
Golden State F David Lee: Notched his second career triple-double with 25 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists and was plus-12 in the Warriors’ loss to Oklahoma City.
DUDS
Oklahoma City C Kendrick Perkins: Shut out in 19 minutes with four turnovers and was minus-14 in the Thunder’s victory over Golden State.
Cleveland F Luke Harangody: Went 1 of 9 from the field with two points and was minus-22 in the Cavaliers’ loss at Miami.
Sacramento G Isaiah Thomas: Missed all five shots and had a turnover in the Kings’ loss at Minnesota.
Sacramento C DeMarcus Cousins: Went 3 for 13 from the field with two turnovers in the Kings’ loss at Minnesota.
Oklahoma City G Russell Westbrook: Notched 31 points and seven assists, but had nine turnovers and was minus-7 in the Thunder’s victory over Golden State.
Cleveland G Ramon Sessions: Went 2 for 8 from the field with four turnovers and was minus-24 in the Cavaliers’ loss at Miami.