USA - Westbrook keeps soaring to new heights [video]

OKLAHOMA CITY (NBA) - Team USA guard Russell Westbrook is having a breakout year for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

After helping the USA to a gold medal at last summer's FIBA World Championship in Turkey, the 22-year-old entered his third NBA season with sky-high confidence and set career best marks in points (21.9), assists (8.2), steals (1.9) and all shooting percentages.

Teaming up with fellow USA star Kevin Durant, the pair is regarded as one of the deadliest duos in the NBA and have led the Thunder to the Western Conference Finals in just their third season together.

In his banner year, Westbrook has joined some NBA legends by becoming just the fifth player to compile over 4,000 points, 1,500 assists and 1,000 rebounds over the course of his first three seasons.

Only LeBron James, Chris Paul, Oscar Robertson and Anfernee 'Penny' Hardaway have accomplished the feat before.

In Tuesday's 121-112 loss to the Dallas Mavericks to open the Western Conference Finals, Westbrook strugged mightily, going just three of 15 from the field.

That only confirmed what many believed: as Westbrook goes, so do the Thunder.

On the previous occasions when he struggled during these playoffs, the former UCLA star immediately bounced back in the next game.

Expect that to be the case on Thursday.

Take a look at Westbrook's rise to superstar status

FIBA