Steven Adams and Russell Westbrook carry Thunder to victory

The Hawks, meanwhile, are a complete disaster.

With the win Sunday, the Thunder improved to 13-8 and not coincidentally have won five straight during Westbrook’s triple-double stretch.

Atlanta scored 15 points during the third quarter Monday night against Oklahoma City. Last season, Westbrook was also able to achieve the feat in four straight games. Even without all the other factors, the Thunder have Russell Westbrook, something Atlanta doesn’t. He was grabbing boards and finding teammates.

Then, he found his shooting touch.

Oklahoma City Thunder dynamo Russell Westbrook became the first National Basketball Association player in 27 years to notch five consecutive triple-doubles.

“The game will tell you what to do”, Westbrook said. And more than a quarter of the way through the season, the reality of the impossible is setting in: Westbrook really might average a triple-double.

Westbrook kept his streak alive with plenty of time to spare.

Enes Kanter had 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Victor Oladipo added 15 points for the Thunder. I think where some people may have seen this as a tough situation for him with all those guys leaving, but he trusted in us and definitely trusted in himself and you see what he’s doing.

It was early in the first quarter and the game had yet to really form much of an identity.

Atlanta rallied down the stretch, but Westbrook helped preserve the victory.

Derrick Rose and Carmelo Anthony each scored 20 points as the New York Knicks beat the road-weary Sacramento Kings, 106-98, for their eighth win in their last 11 games.

They’ve dropped 10 of 11 overall.

Coach Mike Budenholzer changed the starting line-up by benching Kyle Korver for Thabo Sefolosha.

Thaddeus Young scored 17 points for the Pacers, who were energized by the return from injury of Paul George.

It didn’t matter. Westbrook made sure of that.

“It’s insane, man”, Westbrook said. “It’s definitely mind-blowing. And the way he does it”. The Hawks are still adjusting to playing without Jeff Teague and Al Horford, and at this point, they just can’t measure up with the Thunder.

“Can’t dwell on it”, Hardaway said. They’re all trying to play together.

Troy Daniels hit seven 3s and finished with 29 points for Memphis, while Andrew Harrison scored 12 points, including a game-tying 3. Rookie Buddy Hield broke out of a slump with 16 points, all in the second half.

Milwaukee had one last shot to retake the lead, but Mirza Teletovic missed an open 3-pointer from the right corner with 3.9 seconds left. OKC has yet to play ATL this season, with new starter Dennis Schroeder in at point guard and Dwight Howard now safely set at center. FOX Sports Oklahoma will have the telecast in the Greater Oklahoma City area.

Donovan quickly gave up any hope of getting Howard to attend college.

His play picked up as the game continued, though he was all-or-nothing for most of the night. The Thunder took a 78-66 lead into the fourth quarter.

Hawks: Back in action Wednesday when the Miami Heat visit Philips Arena.