Based on the stellar campaigns that James Harden, Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James are having, reigning NBA MVP Russell Westbrook has gone somewhat overlooked this season.Averaging 25.4 points, 9.4 rebounds and 10.4 assists per contest, Westbrook has led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 34-26 record and is making the case for a second-straight award. Amazingly, he is just 0.6 rebounds away from averaging a triple-double for the second-straight season.On Thursday night, Westbrook had another triple-double with 17 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists in a 110-107 victory against the Sacramento Kings. The final score was a bit misleading since the Thunder were blowing out the Kings by 22 points after the first quarter, but Sacramento surprisingly surged back.With 0.7 seconds remaining, the score was knotted up at 107. That’s when the Thunder called Westbrook’s name and he delivered with an incredible catch-and-shoot, buzzer-beating dagger, thus eliminating the need for an overtime period.

Using a pair of screens to find space at the top of the key, Westbrook caught the ball and got rid of it in a split second, over the outstretched hand of Kings veteran Garrett Temple as the final buzzer sounded. He barely had time to gather and shoot as he made sure to get the ball off in time.

Westbrook and his teammates walked off in jubilation while the Kings players and the Sacramento crowd stood in stunned silence.

Sacramento fans now have another reason not to love Westbrook. It was his second game-winning buzzer-beater against the Kings.

He also had a triple-double in that game. 

Overall, it seems like Westbrook has the clutch gene. It was his 11th game-tying or go-ahead shot made in the final 10 seconds. Although he seemingly always finds the ball in his hands during those situations, he has come through many times, as evidenced by those numbers.

Although Harden might have the MVP race in the bag already, Westbrook will certainly give voters a tough choice if he continues his dominant play through the rest of the regular season. If Harden fades in any way, it will be difficult for voters to overlook Westbrook's numbers, especially if he averages another triple-double. 

It seems as though he should continue his rise based on his upcoming opponents. After taking on the Golden State Warriors in California on Saturday night in primetime, he will lead his team against the Orlando Magic, Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns, arguably the worst three teams in the entire NBA.