The Oklahoma City Thunder (15 - 16) defeated the Charlotte Hornets (10 - 20) 98 - 75 on Friday. Oklahoma City has won two straight but just three of their last six games. Kevin Durant missed his fifth straight game, but he did participate in portions of Friday's shootaround, meaning he could be nearing a return from his sprained ankle. Russell Westbrook continues to step up in Durant's absence. Westbrook put up 29 points and five assists in just 25 minutes Friday. Steven Adams has been doing great work on the boards of late. He pulled down nine Friday, and in the four games leading into the contest, he had recorded double - digit rebounds in each game. The Thunder will go on the road to face the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday. Charlotte saw their four - game win streak come to an end with the loss. Lance Stephenson sat out a fifth straight game. The Hornets shot a woeful 29 percent from the field and 21 percent from beyond the arc. They lost the first three quarters of the game, thoroughly taking their drubbing from the Thunder. Kemba Walker had been on a tear of late, but he finished with just nine six points and two assists in 30 minutes as the Hornets turned to their bench players for much of the second half with the game out of reach. Charlotte will return home to host the Orlando Magic on Saturday.
["PlayerStat(G,'Kemba Walker') has 2 Assists ,has 30 Minutes played ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Steven Adams') has 9 Assists ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Russell Westbrook') has 5 Assists ,has 25 Minutes played ,has 29 Points ."]