MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Russell Westbrook went out with a bang.
Westbrook scored 37 points in Oklahoma City's 138-113 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night that was rendered moot by New Orleans' playoff-clinching in over San Antonio.
The Thunder needed a win in the regular season finale and a loss from the Pelicans against the Spurs to get into the playoffs. Westbrook locked up his first scoring title to hold up his end of the bargain, but the Pelicans beat the Spurs 108-103. That means the Thunder will miss the playoffs for the first time since Westbrook's rookie season in 2008-09.