ATLANTA — The Thunder trailed by 15 points, less than two minutes remaining in a game that had escaped it at State Farm Arena. Oh, but the Thunder wasn't done putting the finishing touches on one of its worst losses of the season.
In order to preserve clock in a game that was a long way removed from salvaging, Russell Westbrook let Steven Adams' inbound pass roll. The strategy backfired. Hawks forward DeAndre Bemby pounced on the ball for a steal and a dunk to add embarrassment to lack of energy or effort.
“We just didn't have the effort we needed for 48 minutes,” Westbrook said.