Russell Westbrook's tomahawk slam in traffic ignited the Hornets

Russell Westbrook is a crisp blue and orange blaze dancing near combustible materials. Under the right conditions, he can make erupt and incinerate everything in his vicinity. This season, Westbrook is threatening his career-worst shooting percentage of 39 percent and the Thunder have been paddling below .500. However, despite his streaky shooting and Oklahoma City’s underwhelming placement in the Western Conference standings, Westbrook remains a hazard at the rim.

In the third quarter, the Charlotte Hornets were seared by a devastating Westbrook dunk in transition. The Hornets had four defenders in a phalanx formation to defend, but were left behind when the Thunder point guard, split Marvin Williams and Kemba Walker, then elevated over the 6-foot-9 Williams’ unfurled arms.

Westbrook’s dunk, tied the game at 66, but ignited the Hornets. By the time, Charlotte was extinguished they’d put the finishing touches on a 22-2 run that would propel them to a 116-103 win. It also ruined Oklahoma City’s opportunity to even out their wins and losses.

For his part, Russell Westbrook was a calm flame, leading all scorers with 30 points. Afterwards, Carmelo Anthony wasn’t available to the media after a ghastly 11 point performance and Paul George sounded deflated.

It’s hyperbolic to say the 12-14 Thunder’s campaign season is going up in flames after 26 games, but you can definitely feel the temperature rising as they struggle to figure it out.