Russell Westbrook retires after 18 NBA seasons. Relive his historic Oklahoma City Thunder career, triple-double records, MVP season, Washington Wizards run and legacy alongside Kevin Durant and James Harden.
Westbrook is a future Hall of Famer, and his peak seasons with the Thunder were truly elite. Russell hoped to receive interest for one final run this year, but nothing occurred in free agency.
Westbrook is the only player in NBA history to average a triple-double in three or more seasons. He averaged a triple-double four times: in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021. Nikola Jokic did it in 2025 and 2026 with the Denver Nuggets.
His 2016-17 season was one for the ages. During that season, he averaged 31.6 points per game, 10.7 rebounds per game, and 10.4 assists per game. He was the second player ever to average a triple-double while being named Kia NBA MVP.
Russell and Durant, as a dynamic duo on the Thunder, defeated Kobe Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers, Tim Duncan’s San Antonio Spurs, Dirk Nowitzki’s Dallas Mavericks, and the Grit and Grind Memphis Grizzlies. They did this in the mighty Western Conference and were not even 25 years old yet.
Westbrook chose OKC when he had every right to leave. Durant gave up on him in Oklahoma City by leaving and joining the Golden State Warriors. In my view, Durant’s departure was the biggest turning point in Westbrook’s Thunder career. Harden gave up on him with the Houston Rockets.
2021 was one of Westbrook’s most underrated seasons. He averaged 22.2 PPG, 11.5 RPG, and a career-high 11.7 APG. He led the league in assists and triple-doubles. This season marked the Wizards’ only playoff appearance in the last eight years.
His time with the Wizards is largely forgotten, but he had an absolutely incredible late-season run. In the last 23 games of the season, he averaged 23.2 PPG on 45% shooting, 14.0 APG, and 13.5 RPG.
Washington went 17-6. He had 19 triple-doubles in 23 games. His 23-game stretch remains one of the most extraordinary triple-double runs in NBA history.
Although Westbrook’s time with the Los Angeles Lakers didn’t work out the way any of us hoped, he was still one of my favorite players to watch. He averaged 17 points per game while shooting 43.4% from the field, 6.9 rebounds per game, 7.2 assists per game, and one steal per game during his tenure with them.
Looking back, I do wish LeBron James had his back a bit more, especially after being one of the voices behind bringing him to LA. But that Lakers chapter should not define his career.
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George could not stay healthy for the Los Angeles Clippers. The Denver Nuggets ultimately moved forward without him, choosing Jalen Pickett for the roster. At 36 years old, Russ averaged 16 PPG, eight rebounds, and eight assists while going 22-14 as a starter for the Nuggets.
Westbrook is a one-time NBA MVP, nine-time All-NBA, nine-time All-Star, two-time scoring champion, three-time assists champion, an Olympic gold medalist, and a member of the 75th Anniversary Team. Even if you hated him or didn’t understand him, you have to appreciate who he is after 18 years.
Let’s be absolutely clear: Oklahoma City must retire his iconic No. 0 jersey. Hanging it in the rafters is mandatory to honor the man who gave his heart and soul to that city and built the foundation of the franchise.
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