Russell Westbrook strode to center court, grabbed a microphone and began his address to the crowd as Kevin Durant joined him a couple seconds later. Chesapeake Energy Arena’s loyal fans swelled murmured with excitement as their Thunder leaders delivered their message.
Thanking Oklahomans from all over the state who supported the team every night this season was Westbrook’s soliloquy, but Durant previewed what is to come – the 2016 Playoffs, which will start this weekend with Games 1 and 2 here in Oklahoma City.
Monday night’s 112-79 win over the Los Angeles Lakers that followed Durant and Westbrook’s speeches was the final home game of the regular season, and a perfect send-off to close one chapter and begin the next chapter of this 2015-16 season.