Reflecting on their struggles to find purpose amidst personal pain, Beverly and Westbrook came up with the idea for Eazewell. The tragic loss of their high school peer, Khelcey Barrs III, due to an enlarged heart, continues to impact both Westbrook and Beverly.

It was the former Thunder legend who assisted Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon on the game-winning 3-pointer with four seconds left.

But the idea that the Nuggets can upset the Thunder would be crazy talk without Westbrook. Against the league’s deepest team, Westbrook is akin to a judge, alone on the bench. Peyton Watson might get a block, and Julian Strawther might make a shot, but Westbrook is the only reserve who can be trusted.