Following Friday night's 124-116 road win over the Phoenix Suns, Oklahoma City shooting guard Alex Abrines was asked what it's like being in a huddle with Russell Westbrook in the final minutes of a close game. In his response, Abrines likened Westbrook to Gandalf (Ian McKellen), J.R.R. Tolkien's fictional wizard from the popular fantasy novels The Lord of the Rings.

“Can you talk about what (Westbrook) is like in those closing minutes,” Erik Horne of The Oklahoman asked Abrines after Friday night's game.

“Me and Josh (Huestis) were talking on the bench, we call him Gandalf,” Abrines replied with a smile. “Because he's never early or late. He's always (there) at the right time. When the (big) moment in the game arrives, he's ready to show up.”

If you're a Lord of the Rings buff, there is a good chance you know which scene Abrines is referring to. Gandalf — riding a wagon laden with fireworks, humming a song, and smoking a pipe of Longbottom Leaf — was a bit late to Bilbo Baggins' “eleventy first” birthday party, which was to be held in The Shire. Along his path, Gandalf encounters Frodo Baggins, Bilbo's grandson who later became the ring bearer.

“You're late,” Bilbo said to Gandalf from the side of the path, folding his arms.

“A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins,” Gandalf replied. “Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.”

Westbrook led all scorers in Friday night's game, notching 43 points, including the go-ahead 3-pointer with 56 seconds to play, 14 rebounds, eight assists, one block, and one steal.

“(The Suns) always play us tough, especially here,” Westbrook told ESPN. “We stayed with it and made big plays down the stretch.”

The Thunder have won seven of their last ten games (three straight). They'll be looking to keep that momentum rolling on Saturday night when they face the Portland Trail Blazers inside the Moda Center. Tip-off is set for 10:00 p.m. EST.