Thunder fans show Kobe Bryant ‘major love’ in last road game

Thunder fans show Kobe Bryant ‘major love’ in last road game

OKLAHOMA CITY — Thunder fans flocked to Chesapeake Energy Arena to see Kobe Bryant one last time.

Kevin Durant scored 34 points and Russell Westbrook had a triple-double by halftime to help the Thunder beat the Los Angeles Lakers 112-79 on Monday night in the final road game of Bryant’s 20-year career.

Growing up in L.A., a young boy watching the Lakers and watching him kind of take over the town, and to be here now, in the NBA, being a part of his last (road) game is something special to me.

Plenty of Lakers fans lined up at the arena more than two hours before the start, and the crowd chanted Bryant’s name as it waited during pregame warm-ups.

Westbrook finished the first half with 11 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists as the Thunder led 58-48 at the break.

According to Stats LLC, no player has clinched a triple-double before halftime since it began keeping track in 2002-03.

Lakers head coach Byron Scott was concerned most about keeping Bryant healthy for the season finale Wednesday against Utah, so he didn’t consider putting him back in the game.