Westbrook records 3rd straight triple-double in loss to Trail Blazers

All the Oklahoma City Thunder have to show for a pair of back-to-back sensational games from Russell Westbrook is a couple of losses.

The Thunder coughed up a 13-point fourth-quarter lead Friday and fell 115-112 to the Portland Trail Blazers, despite Westbrook recording his third consecutive triple-double. Westbrook finished with 40 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists to cap an unforgettable month. 

It comes a night after the four-time All-Star posted 39, 14 and 11 in a thrilling overtime loss to the Phoenix Suns. 

Westbrook is playing on another level, like a man possessed with his eyes set on the MVP award. He finished February with averages of 31.2 points, 9.1 rebounds and 10.3 assists, joining Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson as the only player in NBA history to average 30-9-10 in a single month, according to ESPN Stats and Info. 

The Thunder point guard also became the first player since LeBron James in 2009 to record three consecutive triple-doubles.

It was his league-leading fifth triple-double of the season and third of the month. He has recorded three of the five before the start of the fourth quarter

Westbrook did everything he could Friday, but was unable to play the role of hero. 

Trail Blazers All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge nailed a free throw to put Portland up one with 44 seconds remaining, prompting the Thunder to call a timeout. Westbrook missed a layup on the other end, and fouled Arron Afflalo to put him on the line and stop the clock. 

Afflalo nailed both free throws to put the Trail Blazers up three points, giving Westbrook another shot - and he almost made Wesley Matthews pay for a well-intended mistake. 

Matthews attempted to foul Westbrook before he could get a potential game-tying shot off, but got him in the act of shooting, sending him to the line for three shots with the Thunder down three. But Westbrook missed the first attempt, and Oklahoma City went on to lose the contest. 

It potentially came at an expense, too, as Westbrook appeared to suffer a dent in his face after taking a knee from teammate Andre Roberson when the two were battling for a rebound with seconds remaining. 

Aldridge powered Portland - which increased its lead over the Thunder in the Northwest Division to seven games - with 29 points, 16 rebounds and five assists, while Damian Lillard added 29 of his own.

Westbrook is enjoying the best season of his career and has catapulted himself into the MVP discussion, carrying the Thunder while fellow All-Star Kevin Durant has battled numerous injuries. 

Oklahoma City has gotten past a slow start to claim the No. 8 seed in the West. But despite Westbrook's otherworldly stretch, the Thunder have been unable to separate themselves from the Suns or New Orleans Pelicans and are entangled in a three-team race for the conference's final playoff spot. 

The Thunder hold a half-game lead on the Pelicans, and are one game ahead of the Suns.