Another Thunder fan hits $20k half-court shot

Another Thunder fan hits $20k half-court shot

Published Mar. 24, 2013 10:19 p.m. ET

The old saying goes that "lightning never strikes twice."

Evidently, the same can't be said about thunder.

For the second time in a month, a fan has hit a half-court shot at an Oklahoma City Thunder game to win $20,000.

On Sunday night, Justin Dougherty, a television reporter from Springfield, MO, was selected to participate in the Thunder's third-quarter contest.

Dougherty tweeted a picture of the letter showing that he was selected for the contest before taking the court.

"Prayer Request: I'm about to shoot free throws at the end of the 3rd quarter of tonight's @okcthunder game #ohcrap," Dougherty tweeted.

Well, no, free throws would have been easy.

Half-court shot, that's another story.

Dougherty drained the shot and the Chesapeake Energy Arena went nuts.  Dougherty ran off the court, then returned, only to be tackled by Thunder superstar Kevin Durant in celebration.



Dougherty was given the tickets by his girlfriend as a birthday present.

Needless to say, this is one birthday that Dougherty will never forget.

On March 9th, Heath Kufahl was pulled from the stands and hit a half-court shot to win $20,000. The Thunder were taking on the Los Angeles Lakers that night.  Kufahl, a Lakers fan, was given a Thunder jersey to wear when he nailed the shot.

Kufahl, who was given the tickets as a gift from his wife, Jenni, said after the game that the family would use the money to help with the medical bills as his wife fights Stage 3 colon cancer.

The Thunder are getting as good at giving away $20,000 as they are at winning games. 

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