Durant Passes Iverson, Inches Closer to Jordan

Originally Published: Feb 21, 2010 8:44 PM CDT

Vitals | Recap | Box Score

Stephany Speck
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota -- Kevin Durant reached his 28th-straight game with 25 points or more, pushing him ahead of Allen Iverson and into first place in the record book, with 32 points in Oklahoma City’s 109-107 win against Minnesota.

Durant’s record-breaking moment came in the fourth quarter with 2:17 left on the clock, as he put up a long, unbalanced shot from behind the three-point line.

He is now the leading active player in scoring 25 or more points in consecutive games, trailing Michael Jordan for the all-time NBA record.

The Thunder exploded early in the first quarter, despite coming off an overtime game the night before.

After the Timberwolves’ Ryan Hollins dunked within the first 30 seconds, the Thunder responded by going on a 13-0 run, lasting close to four minutes.

The Thunder continued to dominate the pace of the first quarter as it used high-pressure defense to limit the Timberwolves’ offense.

Minnesota shot only 13-for-43, unable to get into a rhythm against an aggressive Oklahoma City team.

A three-point shot extended the Thunder’s lead to 30-15, but the Timberwolves tried to battle back. A layup by Minnesota’s Ramon Sessions put his team within seven points of the Thunder.

Al Jefferson opened the second quarter with a turnaround jumper that cut the Thunder lead to 30-25.

Oklahoma City responded, turning up the intensity and once again pressuring Minnesota’s offense. A long three by Jeff Green pushed the Thunder back ahead by ten with eight minutes left before halftime.

The Timberwolves tried to recover, but the momentum was in favor of the Thunder, as Oklahoma City’s James Harden hit back-to-back shots from behind the arc. The Thunder extended its lead 49-35.

The Thunder’s 8-0 run continued with a layup by Durant, but Minnesota’s Johnny Flynn answered back with a layup of his own.

The Thunder and Timberwolves continued to battle, as Oklahoma City fought to maintain a 10-point lead.

Minnesota’s Corey Brewer threw up a desperate long-range three as the seconds ticked off the clock.

Thunder led at halftime, 62-51.

The third quarter was much of the same scene--the Thunder holding the lead while the Timberwolves struggled offensively.

A long three by Minnesota’s Wayne Ellington put the Timberwolves within four points of the Thunder, 86-82.

On the next play, Damien Wilkins’ dunk made it a two-point game as the Timberwolves continued a 14-2 run.

Minnesota’s momentum continued as Darko Milicic tied the game off a jump shot with 8:45 left in the game. The Thunder’s fourth turnover in the quarter led to a long jump shot by Brewer, which gave the Timberwolves their first lead since the beginning of the game.

The Thunder responded by a three-point shot by Green. Oklahoma City again used strong defense to earn back the lead, 93-88 with just under six minutes left on the clock.

Two free throws by Nick Collison extended the Thunder’s lead 95-88.

Green dunked over Jefferson to put the Thunder ahead of the Timberwolves with just four minutes left in the game.

Wilkins recharged the Timberwolves with a long three, which he followed on the next possession with a layup, making it a four-point game.

Durant’s record-making three point shot pushed him ahead of Iverson, closer to Jordan and placed his team ahead.

A foul on Durant and two successful shots at the charity line made it a six-point game with less than a minute on the clock.

Brewer missed a shot on the next possession, but Westbrook was there to grab the rebound, earning a triple-double with 22 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists.

Brewer made a layup with only 22 seconds on the clock, fouling Westbrook on the next play. Westbrook made both of his shots at the line.

The Thunder was up by six, but the Timberwolves again fought back as Kevin Love tipped in a missed layup by Flynn.

Minnesota fouled Durant on the next play, who hit both shots at the line. Ellington responded with a big shot from behind the arc, and his team once again sent Durant to the charity line where he again made both shots.

Flynn finished the game with a three-point shot as the final second ticked away, but it wasn’t enough to hold off the Thunder.

Durant finished with 32 point and six rebounds, while Green recorded 17 points and 14 rebounds. Nenad Krstic ended the night with 10 points and three rebounds.

The Oklahoma City Thunder hosts the Phoenix Suns Tuesday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.