NBA star Russell Westbrook creates cheekiest play of 2015 with ballsiest buzzer beater this season

IT’S hard to imagine anyone in sport has bigger balls than this NBA star right now after he pulled off the most fearless play of the season.

ONLY Russell Westbrook could pull off something like this.

The Oklahoma City Thunder guard had the audacity to attempt one of the cheekiest plays ever witnessed on a basketball court and then had the freak skills to pull off a stunning buzzer beater during his team’s 104-98 overtime win over the Utah Jazz on Monday.

The 27-year-old produced something out of nothing to hit a crazy jumpshot on the half time buzzer to inspire his team to a 16-point deficit comeback victory.

With just 0.7 seconds left in the first half, Westbrook in-bounded the ball from the baseline into the back of opponent Rodney Hood before grabbing the rebound mid-air and firing a turnaround, fade-away jumpshot with seemingly no-time left on the clock.

Of course it went in.

Russell Westbrook uses opponent’s back for an amazing buzzer-beater (via @talkhoops): https://t.co/PNs1AJDnq8 https://t.co/vaJfImMUHq

— SB Nation (@SBNation) December 14, 2015

Referees initially tried to spoil the party by saying the play was under review because of how little time separates Westbrook’s release and the buzzer, but eventually upheld the play.

It didn’t seem to matter to Westbrook.

After nailing the shot he strutted back to his team’s home court locker rooms as the officials deliberated.

Baller.

It may have been the catalyst for the Thunder’s impressive second half comeback.

Star Kevin Durant scored 31 points, including 29 in the second half, while Westbrook added 25 points, 11 rebounds and five assists to help the Thunder increase their home court winning streak to nine matches and cement third spot in the NBA’s Western Conference.

Westbrook scored two baskets in the first 36 seconds of overtime to give the Thunder the lead, and Utah missed its first nine field-goal attempts in the extra period to gift the home side the win.

Weird things happen when Russell Westbrook has the rock.

Westbrook said after the game he was just pleased he and Durant were able to step up when it mattered.

“We had to do a better job and get Kevin some shots,” he said.

“He got some shots. He got going and then the crowd got going. Part of our job as leaders is to come in and carry the team when we need it. I thought we did a good job of that tonight.”

The Jazz controlled the first half, building a lead that peaked at 51-35 on a three-pointer by Hood in the final minute.

Westbrook and Durant combined to score Oklahoma City’s first 20 points of the second half. Durant fed Steven Adams for a layup that gave the Thunder a 61-58 lead 5 minutes into the third quarter. The Jazz answered and led 76-71 entering the fourth.

Oklahoma City stayed close, though, and tied it at 94 on a three by Serge Ibaka with 49.8 seconds left. Hayward hit a 15-foot jumper off the ensuing in-bounds play to put Utah back ahead with 45.9 seconds left.

Durant and Westbrook missed lay-ups at the other end, but Westbrook rebounded both misses and the Thunder called time-out with 20.8 seconds left. Durant blew by Utah’s Derrick Favors for a tying dunk with 14.6 seconds left.

Eschewing a timeout, Utah brought the ball down court, but Heyward’s pass for Hood sailed out of bounds with a second left. Durant missed a shot from the corner at the buzzer, forcing overtime.

Dion Waiters added 13 points for Oklahoma City. Favors had 14 points and 10 rebounds for Utah.

Meanwhile, moments after Westbrook’s play, an Oklahoma fan became the first person to nail a $20,000 half-court half time shot.

Look what this guy just did! @MidFirst Bank $20k shot! pic.twitter.com/Yio7SPXrGi

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) December 14, 2015

Originally published as NBA star Russell Westbrook creates cheekiest play of 2015 with ballsiest buzzer beater this season