Russell Westbrook Powers OKC Thunder to Easy 110-79 Win vs. Milwaukee Bucks

Russell Westbrook's statistical tour de force rolled on Tuesday night as the Oklahoma City Thunder (44-33) powered past the Milwaukee Bucks (40-38), 110-79, at Chesapeake Energy Arena. 

With history in his sights, Westbrook tied Oscar Robertson's long-standing single-season NBA record and notched his 41st triple-double with a tidy 12 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists.

The team's official Twitter account relayed video of Westbrook soaking in a standing ovation from the Thunder faithful once the achievement became official: 

As if that wasn't impressive enough, Westbrook also rattled off his seventh straight triple-double, which ties his career-best streak and leaves him two games behind Wilt Chamberlain for the all-time record, according to ESPN.com's Royce Young. 

Speaking of Chamberlain, Westbrook is now tied with the Hall of Famer for No. 4 on the NBA's triple-double list with 78 for his career. 

The Norman Transcript's Fred Katz later noted Westbrook moved one step closer to clinching triple-double averages for the entire 2016-17 season: 

However, Tuesday was about more than the electric floor general.

As the final scoreline indicates, the Thunder dominated the Bucks in all phases en route to further solidifying their status as the Western Conference's likely No. 6 seed.

All told, the Thunder featured six double-figure scorers, including Taj Gibson (12 points), Enes Kanter (17 points, five rebounds), Alex Abrines (12 points) and Domantas Sabonis (11 points). 

Conversely, the Bucks had three players finish in double-figures. 

Giannis Antetokounmpo was one, and he attempted to pace his side with 11 points, 10 boards, four dimes and three blocks—one of which came in rather emphatic fashion on Westbrook, as the team's official Twitter account documented:

However, that was hardly enough on a night when the Bucks shot 35.8 percent from the field and 3-of-18 from three against a swarming Thunder defense led by Andre Roberson (three steals, three blocks). 

The Bucks, though, have more to worry about than an off shooting night. 

Although they've won 14 games since March 1—tied with the San Antonio Spurs and Portland Trail Blazers for the best mark in the NBA during that span entering Tuesday night—they're now just a half-game up on the Atlanta Hawks for the Eastern Conference's No. 5 seed. 

In order to maintain a grip on that position, the Bucks will have to rebound Thursday night against the Indiana Pacers, who are locked in a tight battle with the Miami Heat for the East's eighth and final postseason spot.

The Thunder, meanwhile, will be back in action Wednesday for the second half of a back-to-back against the Memphis Grizzlies. 

Once that clash is in the books, the Thunder will round out their season with four games against three teams (the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns and Minnesota Timberwolves) that all sport winning percentages below .500. 

Oklahoma City has a chance to enter the playoffs riding a serious wave of momentum if it can string together a slew of wins as mid-April approaches.    

Postgame Reaction

Once the final buzzer sounded, Bucks head coach Jason Kidd discussed the loss and his team's place in the standings, as the team's official Twitter account documented: 

Kidd also offered his opinion on Westbrook's MVP candidacy, according to the Oklahoman's Erik Horne:  

"Really, really remarkable," head coach Billy Donovan said of his point guard, per Katz. "There's a reason the record stood for as long as it had...The entire team shared in it. What he has done historically is just remarkable in this day and age...I do feel like tonight was a team moment, too."

Katz also captured video of Westbrook's complete post-game availability, which was full of reflection: 

As far as the defense was concerned, Donovan heaped praise on Roberson and pointed to him as a "one-man disruption," per Horne.