Thunder push Warriors to the brink

Russell Westbrook had his first triple-double of the playoffs as the Oklahoma City Thunder throttled the Golden State Warriors 118-94 on Tuesday night in Oklahoma City. The Thunder could close out the Warriors as early as Thursday night. (Associated Press)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) shoots against the Golden State Warriors during the first half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) is defended by Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the first half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) passes around Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) during the first half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 24,, 2016. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) talks with referee Bill Kennedy (55) during the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 24,, 2016. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) reacts to action against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) gets past Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) to shoot during the first half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

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OKLAHOMA CITY — Russell Westbrook had 36 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, and the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Golden State Warriors 118-94 on Tuesday night to take a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference finals and put the defending NBA champions on the brink of elimination.

It was Westbrook’s first triple-double of the playoffs after posting 18 in the regular season. Kevin Durant added 26 points and 11 rebounds for Oklahoma City.

Golden State, which won a league record 73 games in the regular season, lost consecutive games for the first time this season. The Warriors must win Game 5 on Thursday in Oakland to keep their season alive.

Klay Thompson led Golden State with 26 points. Two-time league MVP Stephen Curry was limited to 19 points on 6-for-20 shooting.

Golden State’s Draymond Green, who was fined for kicking Steven Adams in the groin in Game 3, finished with 6 points, 11 rebounds and 6 turnovers.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma City got a boost from an unlikely source. Andre Roberson, a player the Warriors have ignored at times during the series, scored a career-high 17 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.

The Thunder led 30-26 at the end of the first quarter, then gained control in the second. In the most unlikely of connections, Adams threw a bullet pass to Roberson near the basket for a dunk that gave the Thunder a 56-43 lead with just over four minutes left in the first half.

Oklahoma City finished with a flurry and led 72-53 at halftime. The Thunder matched the most points they have scored in a first half in franchise playoff history, a mark they set the previous game against the Warriors. It also matched the most points Golden State has allowed in a half this season for the second straight game.

Westbrook had 21 points, 9 assists and 5 rebounds in the first half, and Durant had 18 points and 6 boards.

Curry finished 4-for-14 in the first half. Green had 4 points and 5 turnovers, and Thompson had 4 points and 3 fouls in 12 minutes.

Golden State shot 46 percent from the field in the first half, but Oklahoma City outrebounded the Warriors 28-20 and outscored them 21-9 at the free-throw line in the half.

Thompson tried to keep the Warriors in it, scoring 19 points in just more than seven minutes to start the third quarter.