Davis scores 41, hits buzzer-beater to top Westbrook's career-high 48

In an instant classic between two desperate playoff hopefuls, the New Orleans Pelicans emerged victorious against the Oklahoma City Thunder thanks to a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Anthony Davis.

The game came down to the wire, as neither team managed a lead greater than seven points in the final frame. Thunder small forward Kevin Durant returned from a toe injury to score 27 points, including two huge 3-pointers in the final two minutes, but came up shy twice in a wild finish.

After trimming the deficit to one, the Thunder intentionally fouled Tyreke Evans. However, Evans missed both free throws, giving Oklahoma City a golden chance to win. Durant then missed two open looks (a midrange jumper and a layup) before Davis corralled the rebound with just three seconds remaining.

The Thunder then intentionally fouled Davis, who promptly drained two free throws to extend the lead to three.

But the Thunder weren't finished. Russell Westbrook squirted open on an inbounds play and was fouled on a 3-point attempt by Quincy Pondexter. With just 1.2 seconds remaining, Westbrook calmly drained all three free throws to tie the game.

That set the stage for Davis's impossible double-pump 30-footer.

Related: VIDEO: Anthony Davis hits buzzer-beating 30-foot game-winner

Westbrook turned in another ridiculous performance, scoring a career-high 48 points, grabbing nine rebounds and dishing out 11 assists on 15-of-28 shooting. He was in rare form as he blasted his way through the Pelicans' defense with regularity. Westbrook even scored 13 points in the final frame, but his effort was not enough.

Recall that Westbrook scored 45 points on Wednesday in a win over the Pelicans. The game before that, Westbrook dropped a triple-double on the Orlando Magic. 

For the Pelicans, Evans and Davis both recorded huge performances. Evans finished with a triple-double, scoring 22 points, snagging 10 rebounds and dropping 16 dimes. Davis poured in 41 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and, of course, hit the game-winner. 

The win pushes New Orleans two games up on Oklahoma City as the race for the eighth seed in the Western Conference heats up.