NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder stun Golden State Warriors to take finals lead

Russell Westbrook inspired a second-half fightback as the Oklahoma City Thunder came from behind to beat the Golden State Warriors 108-102 in the opening game of the Western Conference finals on Monday.

Westbrook poured on 27 points as the Thunder overturned a 47-60 halftime deficit to snatch victory in a pulsating clash between two of the most potent attacking units in the NBA.

Westbrook also chipped in with 12 assists and six rebounds while team-mate Kevin Durant finished with 26 points as the visitors silenced the Golden State home crowd at the Oracle Arena.

Westbrook played a pivotal role on defense, time and again using his blistering speed to pounce on stray passes by the Warriors.

Golden State looked to be sprinting away to a one-sided victory after blasting into a commanding early in the first half, converting a series of rash Oklahoma City turnovers into points.

NBA MVP Stephen Curry — who finished with 26 points — rubbed salt into the wound on the stroke of half-time with a trademark long-range three-pointer to give the Warriors a 13-point lead.

But the Thunder re-emerged after the halftime interval a different side, with Westbrook leading the charge to slash the Warriors’ advantage with a virtuoso third quarter performance.

Westbrook piled up 19 points in the third quarter to help put the Thunder within three points of the Warriors at 85-88 heading into the fourth quarter.

With Oklahoma City’s defense successfully neutralising the threat posed by Curry, it was left to Durant and Westbrook to take control.

Oklahoma City opened up a 101-93 lead in the final few minutes but the reigning NBA finals champion Warriors clawed their way back to within one point at 101-100.

Just when it looked as if Golden State were poised to pull off another Houdini act, the Thunder regrouped and edged clear once more.

The visitors received a fortunate call when Westbrook avoided being called for traveling at 105-102 with 17 seconds remaining, and three more points sealed the win as time ran out for the Warriors, who made only one of 10 attempted three-pointers — way below their normal levels of shooting accuracy. Game Two in the best of seven series takes place in Oakland on Wednesday.