But the idea that the Nuggets can upset the Thunder would be crazy talk without Westbrook. Against the league’s deepest team, Westbrook is akin to a judge, alone on the bench. Peyton Watson might get a block, and Julian Strawther might make a shot, but Westbrook is the only reserve who can be trusted.

It was the former Thunder legend who assisted Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon on the game-winning 3-pointer with four seconds left.

On Monday evening, the Denver Nuggets faced off against the Oklahoma City Thunder for Game 1 of their second-round playoff series. The Nuggets won by a score of 121-119 to take a 1-0 lead. Russell Westbrook finished with 18 points,