Thunder spoil Spurs return of NBA stars Parker, Duncan

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (AFP) - Kevin Durant(notes) scored 25 points as Oklahoma City held off San Antonio 101-98, spoiling the return from injury of Spurs stars Tony Parker(notes) and Tim Duncan(notes).

"It feels really good," Durant said of the Thunder's fifth win of the young National Basketball Association season. Last season they didn't get their fifth victory until January.

"If we continue to work like this, you never know what'll happen," he said.

Jeff Green(notes) added 21 points for the Thunder and Russell Westbrook(notes) had 19.

Duncan had 22 points and 10 rebounds but attempted just one shot in the fourth quarter.

Parker scored 17 and missed a long range, last gasp three-point attempt at the buzzer that would have forced overtime.

Both of the Spurs stars were returning from ankle injuries. Neither had played since losing at Portland on November 6.

Duncan displayed his fitness with three dunks. He shot 9 of 14 from the field in 37 minutes. Parker shot 7 of 18 and had five assists.

"We controlled the first half defensively and in the second half they just shot the ball well," Duncan said.

Manu Ginobili(notes) scored seven points for the Spurs but sat out the fourth quarter because of a tight hamstring.