Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Russell Westbrook
Discover the career path of Russell Westbrook, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Russell Westbrook III is an American professional basketball player currently playing point guard for the Denver Nuggets in the NBA. He debuted in the NBA in 2008 and rose to prominence as a star with the Oklahoma City Thunder. During his career, he has played for six NBA teams, showcasing his talents across the league.
1988: Most Triple-Doubles Since 1988-89 Season
In 2016, Westbrook recorded his 15th triple-double of the season, amassing the most triple-doubles by a player in a season since the 1988-89 season.
1989: Longest Triple-Double Streak Since 1989
In 2016, on December 9, Russell Westbrook recorded his seventh straight triple-double, the longest streak since Michael Jordan in 1989.
January 6, 2006: Career-Best 51 Points
On January 6, 2006, Russell Westbrook registered a career-best 51 points at Carson during his senior year.
2008: Rookie Season
In 2008, Russell Westbrook averaged 15.3 points, 5.3 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game in his rookie season.
March 2, 2009: First Career Triple-Double
On March 2, 2009, Russell Westbrook recorded his first career triple-double with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.
2009: First season with Harden
In 2009, James Harden spent his first three seasons in the league on the Thunder with Westbrook.
2009: Lebron James Triple Doubles
In 2009, Lebron James had three straight triple-doubles. Russell Westbrook had three straight triple-doubles on February 27, in a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.
November 26, 2010: Career-High 43 Points
On November 26, 2010, Russell Westbrook scored a then-career-high 43 points against the Indiana Pacers.
March 23, 2012: Career-High 45 Points
On March 23, 2012, Russell Westbrook scored a career-high 45 points in a double overtime win against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
2012: NBA Finals Appearance
In 2012, Russell Westbrook appeared in the NBA Finals as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder, but they lost to the Miami Heat.
2012: NBA Finals with the Thunder
In 2012, Westbrook played with James Harden in the NBA Finals with the Thunder.
2012: Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation
In 2012, Westbrook started the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation to promote community-based education and family service programs.
2013: Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce for the 2013–14 Nets
In 2013, the pair of Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce played for the Brooklyn Nets
February 20, 2014: Return to Lineup
On February 20, 2014, Russell Westbrook returned to the lineup after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.
May 27, 2014: 40 Points, 10 Assists, 5 Steals
On May 27, 2014, in a Game 4 victory against the San Antonio Spurs, Russell Westbrook recorded 40 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists, and 5 steals.
2014: Misses All-Star Game
In 2014, Westbrook was not named to the All-Star Game for the first time since that year.
February 4, 2015: Tied Career-High 45 Points
On February 4, 2015, Russell Westbrook tied his career-high with 45 points in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
October 30, 2015: 40 Points Each with Durant
On October 30, 2015, to begin the 2015-16 season, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant each scored 40 points against the Orlando Magic.
March 14, 2016: Last Game Without Turnovers
On March 14, 2016, was Westbrook's last game without turnovers until January 4, 2022.
August 4, 2016: Contract Extension with Thunder
On August 4, 2016, Russell Westbrook signed a three-year, $85.7 million contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
2016: Historic 2016-17 Season
In 2016, Westbrook had a historic season, continuing into the Thunder's season opener against the New York Knicks on October 19.
September 29, 2017: Westbrook Signs $205 Million Contract Extension
On September 29, 2017, Russell Westbrook signed a five-year, $205 million contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder, marking the largest guaranteed contract in NBA history at the time.
2017: Westbrook Contract Expire Speculation
In 2017, trade speculation began swirling around Westbrook, whose contract was set to expire.
March 13, 2018: Westbrook Records 100th Triple-Double
On March 13, 2018, Russell Westbrook became the fourth player in NBA history to record 100 triple-doubles in a 119–107 win over the Atlanta Hawks.
2018: Wizards make playoffs
After a 118–100 loss to the Celtics for the No. 7 spot in the play-in tournament, Westbrook and Bradley Beal led the Wizards to a blowout win 142–115 over the Pacers to clinch the last playoff spot and the Wizards' first playoff appearance since 2018.
January 10, 2019: Westbrook Records Career-High 24 Assists
On January 10, 2019, Russell Westbrook recorded a career-high 24 assists, along with 24 points and 13 rebounds, in a double-overtime loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
July 16, 2019: Westbrook Traded to Houston Rockets
On July 16, 2019, Russell Westbrook was traded to the Houston Rockets for Chris Paul, protected first-round picks, and first-round pick swaps, reuniting him with former Thunder teammate James Harden.
October 24, 2019: Westbrook's Rockets Debut
On October 24, 2019, Russell Westbrook made his debut for the Houston Rockets in a loss against the Milwaukee Bucks, leading the team with 24 points and 16 rebounds.
October 26, 2019: Westbrook Passes Magic Johnson in Career Triple-Doubles
On October 26, 2019, in his second game as a Rocket, Russell Westbrook passed Magic Johnson to become second all-time in career triple-doubles.
2019: Trade to Houston Rockets
In 2019, Russell Westbrook was traded to the Houston Rockets, marking a new chapter in his NBA career.
January 9, 2020: Westbrook Returns to Oklahoma City as a Visitor
On January 9, 2020, Russell Westbrook returned to Oklahoma City for the first time as a visitor, scoring 34 points in a loss.
December 2, 2020: Westbrook Traded to Washington Wizards
On December 2, 2020, Russell Westbrook was traded to the Washington Wizards for John Wall and a 2023 lottery-protected first-round draft pick.
2020: Traded to Washington Wizards
In 2020, Russell Westbrook was traded to the Washington Wizards after playing one season with the Houston Rockets.
March 30, 2021: Westbrook Records 30-10-20 Triple-Double
On March 30, 2021, Russell Westbrook became the first player since Magic Johnson in 1988 to record a 30–10–20 triple-double, with 35 points, 21 assists, and 14 rebounds.
August 6, 2021: Westbrook Traded to Los Angeles Lakers
On August 6, 2021, Russell Westbrook was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, and draft rights, becoming his fourth team in three years.
2021: Traded to Los Angeles Lakers
In 2021, Russell Westbrook was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, joining another prominent NBA team.
2021: Westbrook's third season missing the playoffs
In 2021, Westbrook had his third season in his career (and the first since 2015) in which he missed the playoffs.
2021: Production Debut
In 2021, Westbrook made his production debut with Tulsa Burning: The 1921 Race Massacre, which received three Primetime Emmy nominations. He also produced the short film Why Not? and his autobiographical documentary, Passion Play: Russell Westbrook.
January 4, 2022: First Game Without Turnovers Since 2016
On January 4, 2022, Russell Westbrook had his first game without turnovers since March 14, 2016, in a win over the Sacramento Kings.
November 2, 2022: Westbrook Describes New Role as Beneficial
On November 2, 2022, Russell Westbrook described his new role coming off the bench as 'beneficial for everybody'.
2022: Plays for Los Angeles Clippers
In 2022, Russell Westbrook plays for the Los Angeles Clippers.
January 15, 2023: Westbrook Sets Record for Most Triple-Doubles off the Bench
On January 15, 2023, Russell Westbrook recorded his fourth career triple-double off the bench, setting a record for the most triple-doubles off the bench in NBA history.
February 9, 2023: Westbrook Traded to Utah Jazz
On February 9, 2023, Russell Westbrook was traded to the Utah Jazz in a three-team trade involving the Minnesota Timberwolves.
February 22, 2023: Westbrook Signs with Los Angeles Clippers
On February 22, 2023, Russell Westbrook signed with the Los Angeles Clippers, reuniting with his former Thunder teammate Paul George.
July 6, 2023: Westbrook Re-Signs with Clippers
On July 6, 2023, Russell Westbrook re-signed with the Clippers to a two-year, $7.8 million contract.
2023: Traded to Utah Jazz and Joined Clippers
In 2023, Russell Westbrook was traded to the Utah Jazz and subsequently bought out, later joining the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2022-23 season.
January 1, 2024: Westbrook Passes Ewing on All-Time Scoring List
On January 1, 2024, Russell Westbrook passed Patrick Ewing for 25th place on the league's all-time scoring list.
July 18, 2024: Westbrook Traded to Utah Jazz Again
On July 18, 2024, Russell Westbrook was traded to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Kris Dunn in a sign-and-trade. He was then waived on July 20.
July 26, 2024: Westbrook Signs with Denver Nuggets
On July 26, 2024, Russell Westbrook signed with the Denver Nuggets.
November 6, 2024: Win against Oklahoma City Thunder
On November 6, 2024, Russell Westbrook scored 29 points with six rebounds and six assists, shooting efficiently in a 124–122 win against his former team, the Oklahoma City Thunder.
2024: 17th Year in NBA
As of 2024, Russell Westbrook is in his 17th year in the NBA.
January 10, 2025: Triple-Double with Jokić
On January 10, 2025, Westbrook recorded a triple-double with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 124–105 win over the Brooklyn Nets. His teammate Nikola Jokić also recorded a triple-double, marking the second time they've achieved this feat in the same season, making them the only pair of teammates in NBA history to accomplish that.
January 22, 2025: Most Regular-Season Triple-Doubles
As of January 22, 2025, Westbrook holds the NBA record for most regular-season triple-doubles with 202.
