Paul George’s Late Surge Lifts Thunder Past the Nets

Paul George scored 25 of his 47 points in a sensational fourth quarter, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with 3.1 seconds left that gave the Oklahoma City Thunder a 114-112 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night.

George rallied the Thunder from a 23-point deficit and finished a point shy of his career high, leading them to a fourth straight victory in a game they trailed big for much of the way.

Russell Westbrook had his 108th career triple-double to snap a tie with the former Nets star and coach Jason Kidd for third in N.B.A. history, finishing with 21 points, 17 assists and 15 rebounds.

But it was George, whose slow started helped send the Thunder into their big hole, who made sure they climbed out of it.

Allen Crabbe scored 22 points and tied a season high with seven 3-pointers, but the Nets dropped their eighth straight game. Joe Harris added 19 points.

Brooklyn led by 18 after three quarters. But George heated up quickly in the fourth, making four 3-pointers and driving hard to the basket.

Oklahoma City improved to 16-3 since its 0-4 start.

Brooklyn led by only two after one quarter but then outscored Oklahoma City 36-22 in the second. Nets reserves outscored the Thunder by themselves, totaling 23 points.

The Thunder came into the game having outscored opponents by a league-high 97 points, but the Nets outscored them 31-29 in the period, getting three 3-pointers from Crabbe and going ahead by as much as 23 before taking a 93-75 advantage to the fourth.

NEW GIG FOR FISHER Former Knicks Coach Derek Fisher has been hired to coach the Los Angeles Sparks of the W.N.B.A., replacing Brian Agler.

Fisher, 44, helped the Los Angeles Lakers win five N.B.A. titles during his 18-season playing career and served as president of the players’ union. He coached the Knicks from 2014-2016.

“Derek is a great basketball mind who brings a ton of high-level experience to our team,” Candace Parker said. “I look forward to working with someone with championship pedigree and who has a track record of strong leadership. Derek has been a strong supporter of women’s basketball for quite some time, so it’s nice to officially welcome him.”

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