Rookie duo stars in Sonics double-OT victory

This game may soon fade from memory in this forgettable season, but maybe it was the start of something special between a pair of rookies with limitless potential.

After 76 games, Kevin Durant and Jeff Green finally blossomed at the same time. Too often this season, Durant took over while Green took a back seat. Or, on the infrequent occasions when Green shined, Durant failed to play like a soon-to-be rookie of the year.

But on Sunday all of that changed against the team that handed the Sonics (18-59) their worst defeat in franchise history.

In front of 13,104 fans at KeyArena who stood and cheered for the game's final 10 minutes as if it were a playoff, Durant drained a pair of clutch three-pointers and Green dominated on the perimeter and beneath the rim during a 151-147 double overtime victory that snapped a five-game losing streak and hurt Denver's playoff chances.

Both rookies finished with career-best scoring performances. Durant had 37 points on 11-for-24 shooting and Green sank 14 of 21 shots for 35 points.

"It shows a lot of promise for the future of this franchise," said Green, who also had 10 rebounds, which offset his career-high six turnovers. "Two guys who they are building around showed up in a big game tonight."

The Sonics' dynamic duo collaborated on an alley-oop dunk late in the third quarter, which might have been their finest play this season. Durant led a Sonics fast break and threw a cross-court pass to Green, who flushed over Denver strongman Kenyon Martin despite being fouled. Green sank the free throw, which gave the Sonics an 89-83 lead.

"To be honest, I was still trying to get a hold of the ball when I was dribbling," Durant said. "I saw him out of the corner of my eye, and I just tossed it up. It was a terrible pass, but it was probably one of the best dunks I've seen this year."

Green called the play "a momentum changer."

The Sonics had control of the game, but Carmelo Anthony, who scored 47 points in Saturday's loss against Sacramento, refused to let Denver sink. He finished with a game-high 38 points and 11 rebounds. Allen Iverson added 26 points and 13 assists and Martin had 22 points.

"They got career nights from two people," Iverson said. "They got two 30-point scorers. Then they have other guys doing what they did out there. What can you say? They were the better team tonight."

Denver, which fell to 46-30 and an eighth-place tie in the Western Conference standings with Golden State, had won the three previous games against Seattle, including a 168-116 game in their last meeting.

The Nuggets led 126-123 in regulation before Earl Watson found Durant at the top of the key and the rookie drained a three-pointer that tied the game with 22.6 seconds left.

On the ensuing possession, Anthony missed an off-balance jumper on the baseline, to take the game to the first overtime.

Durant forced a second overtime when Luke Ridnour threw him a pass at the top of the key and he drained another three-pointer that tied the score at 135 with 5.1 seconds left.

Watson (16 points and 11 assists) and Ridnour (19 points and eight assists) each sank clutch baskets in the second extra period just before the shot clock expired.

"Kevin has had one or two games like this, but Jeff — I don't think — has ever played this well," said Nick Collison, who scored 19 points and collected 14 rebounds. "They're not going to play like that every night, but hopefully they'll be able to build on this and we'll all benefit.

"This type of game is obviously what the coaches and management had in mind when they drafted them."

Percy Allen: 206-464-2278 or pallen@seattletimes.com