History of Russell Westbrook in Timeline
Russell Westbrook III is a professional basketball player renowned for his athleticism and intensity. A nine-time NBA All-Star, he earned the 2016-17 NBA MVP Award. He's a nine-time All-NBA Team member, a two-time scoring champion, and a three-time assists leader. Westbrook is one of three players to average a triple-double for a season, achieving this four times, and he holds the NBA record for career triple-doubles and rebounds by a guard. He was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021, solidifying his place among basketball's elite.
13 hours ago : Westbrook era for Lakers criticized as Thunder's Holmgren shines against them.
The Thunder's defense, led by Chet Holmgren, is causing problems for the Lakers. Holmgren's performance excited Thunder fans. Holmgren proves Wembanyama is not an alien.
November 12, 1988: Russell Westbrook's Birth
On November 12, 1988, Russell Westbrook III was born. He is known for his agility, intensity and explosiveness and is considered one of the greatest point guards in NBA history.
1988: Reference to previous season for triple-doubles
Russell Westbrook amassed the most triple-doubles by a player in a season since 1988-89, when Magic Johnson had 17 and Michael Jordan had 15.
May 2004: Death of Khelcey Barrs III
In May 2004, Khelcey Barrs III, Russell Westbrook's best friend, died from an enlarged heart during a pick-up game at the age of 16. This event deeply impacted Westbrook's life and motivated him to excel in honor of his friend's memory.
January 6, 2006: Career-Best 51 Points at Carson
On January 6, 2006, during his senior year, Russell Westbrook registered a career-best 51 points at Carson, showcasing his growing potential as a basketball player.
2006: Freshman Year at UCLA
In 2006, upon arriving at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Russell Westbrook wore number 0 and played as a backup to Darren Collison during his freshman year.
2007: UCLA Lost to Florida in Final Four
In 2007, UCLA, with Russell Westbrook on the team, advanced to the Final Four but lost to eventual national champion Florida, 76–66.
2008: UCLA Lost to Memphis in Final Four and Enters NBA Draft
In 2008, UCLA, with Russell Westbrook, lost to Memphis in the Final Four. Following this, Westbrook decided to forgo his final two years of college and enter the 2008 NBA draft.
2008: Rookie Season Stats
In 2008, during Russell Westbrook's rookie season, he averaged 15.3 points, 5.3 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game, showcasing his early impact in the NBA.
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. He was the first rookie since Chris Paul to achieve this feat.
2009: First Player since LeBron James to have Three Straight Triple-Doubles
In 2015, on February 27, Russell Westbrook became the first player since LeBron James in 2009 to record three straight triple-doubles. During that day, he scored 40 points, had 13 rebounds, and 11 assists in a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.
November 26, 2010: Career-High 43 Points Against Indiana Pacers
On November 26, 2010, Russell Westbrook scored a then-career-high 43 points against the Indiana Pacers, demonstrating his scoring ability.
2010: FIBA World Championship Gold Medal
In 2010, Russell Westbrook represented the United States national team and won a gold medal in the FIBA World Championship.
2010: Selected to FIBA World Championship team
In 2010, Russell Westbrook was selected to the FIBA World Championship team in Istanbul, Turkey, and played a key role in Team USA's undefeated run, securing their first World Championship since 1994.
2011: Start of Lockout Season
Due to the lockout, the 2011-12 NBA season would start on Christmas Day.
2011: First NBA All-Star Game Selection
In 2011, Russell Westbrook was selected as a Western Conference reserve for the NBA All-Star Game, marking his first All-Star appearance.
January 9, 2012: 5-Year Contract Extension with Oklahoma City Thunder
On January 9, 2012, Russell Westbrook signed a 5-year, $80 million contract extension to stay with the Oklahoma City Thunder through the 2016–17 season, solidifying his commitment to the team.
March 23, 2012: Career-High 45 Points Against Minnesota Timberwolves
On March 23, 2012, Russell Westbrook scored a career-high 45 points in a 149–140 double overtime win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, showcasing his offensive capabilities.
October 2012: Signed with Jordan Brand
In October 2012, Russell Westbrook signed with the Jordan Brand and appeared in his first commercial with the Jordan Brand and Champs.
2012: Olympic Gold Medal
In 2012, Russell Westbrook represented the United States national team and won a gold medal in the Olympics, showcasing his international success.
2012: NBA All-Star Game Selection
In 2012, Russell Westbrook was selected for the NBA All-Star Game, marking another recognition of his skills and performance.
2012: NBA Finals Appearance with the Thunder
In 2012, as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Russell Westbrook appeared in the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Miami Heat.
April 25, 2013: Knee Injury Against Houston Rockets
On April 25, 2013, during a playoff game against the Houston Rockets, Russell Westbrook injured his right knee in a collision with Patrick Beverley, leading to a slight tear in his right meniscus.
April 27, 2013: Knee Surgery and Playoff Absence
On April 27, 2013, Russell Westbrook underwent surgery on his right knee and was declared out for the remainder of the playoffs, impacting the Thunder's postseason run.
November 2013: Signed with Kings and Jaxs Boxer Briefs and PepsiCo
In November 2013, Russell Westbrook signed with Kings & Jaxs Boxer Briefs, stating that it was a natural fit due to their shared fearless and creative approach to style. He also signed with PepsiCo to become the global face of Mountain Dew Kickstart.
2013: Second Surgery on Right Knee
Prior to the start of the 2013-14 NBA season, Russell Westbrook had a second surgery on his right knee which set back his return to basketball.
February 20, 2014: Return to Lineup After Surgery
On February 20, 2014, Russell Westbrook returned to the Oklahoma City Thunder lineup after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, playing with limited minutes for the remainder of the season.
May 27, 2014: Game 4 Victory against San Antonio Spurs
On May 27, 2014, in Game 4 against the San Antonio Spurs, Russell Westbrook recorded 40 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists, and 5 steals, contributing to a Thunder victory.
2014: NBA Scoring Leader
In 2014, Russell Westbrook was an NBA scoring leader for the 2014-15 season, showcasing his offensive prowess.
2014: Fracture of the Second Metacarpal
In 2014, after scoring 38 points in a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, Russell Westbrook suffered a small fracture of the second metacarpal in his right hand and missed 14 games.
2014: Career-High 54 Points
On April 12, 2015, Russell Westbrook scored a career-high 54 points in a game against the Indiana Pacers, although the Thunder lost the game. Despite his efforts, the Thunder missed the playoffs.
February 4, 2015: Tied Career-High 45 Points
On February 4, 2015, Russell Westbrook tied his career-high with 45 points in a 102–91 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, demonstrating his scoring ability.
October 30, 2015: Start of 2015-16 Season
On October 30, 2015, to begin the 2015–16 NBA season, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant each scored 40 points against the Orlando Magic.
August 4, 2016: Contract Extension with the Thunder
On August 4, 2016, Russell Westbrook signed a three-year, $85.7 million contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder, becoming the focal point of the team.
2016: Historic 2016-17 Season
Continuing on from his historic 2016–17 season, Westbrook had a triple-double in the Thunder's season opener against the New York Knicks on October 19.
2016: All-Star Game MVP
In 2016, Russell Westbrook earned his second consecutive All-Star Game MVP award with 31 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and five steals in 22 minutes of play.
2016: NBA Most Valuable Player Award
In 2016, Russell Westbrook earned the NBA Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) for the 2016–17 season.
2016: Contract Conclusion
In 2016, Russell Westbrook's 5-year contract signed in 2012 with the Oklahoma City Thunder was nearing its end.
June 26, 2017: Named NBA Most Valuable Player
On June 26, 2017, Russell Westbrook was named the recipient of the NBA Most Valuable Player Award, marking the first winner from a team with fewer than 50 wins since Moses Malone in 1982.
September 29, 2017: Signed a Five-Year Contract Extension with the Thunder
On September 29, 2017, Russell Westbrook signed a five-year, $205 million contract extension with the Thunder. The deal started with the 2018–19 season and delivered Westbrook the largest guaranteed contract in NBA history at the time—six seasons and $233 million through 2022–23. The contract included a player option for the 2022–23 season.
March 13, 2018: Achieved 100 Career Triple-Doubles
On March 13, 2018, Westbrook recorded 32 points, 12 assists and 12 rebounds in a 119–107 win over the Atlanta Hawks, becoming the fourth player in NBA history to record 100 triple-doubles.
September 2018: Underwent a procedure on his right knee
In September 2018, Westbrook underwent a procedure to deal with inflammation in his right knee, causing him to miss the preseason and the first two regular season games of the 2018–2019 season.
January 10, 2019: Recorded a Career-High 24 Assists
On January 10, 2019, Westbrook recorded a career-high 24 assists to go with 24 points and 13 rebounds in a 154–147 double-overtime loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
July 16, 2019: Traded to the Houston Rockets
On July 16, 2019, Russell Westbrook was traded to the Houston Rockets for Chris Paul, two protected first-round picks, and two first-round pick swaps, reuniting him with former Thunder teammate James Harden.
October 24, 2019: Rockets Debut
On October 24, 2019, Westbrook made his debut for the Houston Rockets in a 117–111 loss against the Milwaukee Bucks, leading the team with 24 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists.
October 26, 2019: Second All-Time in Career Triple-Doubles
On October 26, 2019, in his second game as a Rocket, Westbrook became second all time in career triple-doubles, passing Magic Johnson with a 28-point, 13-assist and 10-rebound performance in a 126–123 win against the New Orleans Pelicans.
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: Return to Oklahoma City as a Visitor
On January 9, 2020, Westbrook returned to Oklahoma City as a visitor for the first time, scoring 34 points in a 113–92 loss.
December 2, 2020: Traded to the Washington Wizards
On December 2, 2020, Westbrook was traded to the Washington Wizards for John Wall and a 2023 lottery-protected first-round draft pick, amidst rumors that he and Harden wanted out from the Rockets.
2020: Trade to Washington Wizards
In 2020, Russell Westbrook was traded to the Washington Wizards after playing one season with the Houston Rockets.
March 30, 2021: Recorded a 30-10-20 Triple-Double
On March 30, 2021, Westbrook became the first player since Magic Johnson in 1988 to record a 30–10–20 triple-double with 35 points, a then-season-high 21 assists, plus 14 rebounds, in a 132–124 win over the Indiana Pacers.
August 6, 2021: Traded to the Los Angeles Lakers
On August 6, 2021, Westbrook was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell and the draft rights to Isaiah Jackson. This marked the third time Westbrook was traded, making the Lakers his fourth team in three years.
2021: Named to NBA 75th Anniversary Team
In 2021, Russell Westbrook was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, solidifying his legacy as one of the greats.
2021: Trade to Los Angeles Lakers
In 2021, Russell Westbrook was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers after a season with the Washington Wizards.
January 4, 2022: First Game without Turnovers Since March 14, 2016
On January 4, 2022, in a 122–114 win over the Sacramento Kings, Westbrook had his first game without turnovers since March 14, 2016.
April 5, 2022: Lakers Eliminated From Playoff Contention
On April 5, 2022, the Lakers were defeated by the Phoenix Suns, eliminating the team from obtaining a playoff berth. The 2021–22 season was the third season in Westbrook's career in which he missed the playoffs.
August 1, 2022: Signed Jeff Schwartz as Agent
After severing ties with agent Thad Foucher in July 2022, Westbrook signed Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports as his agent on August 1, 2022.
November 2, 2022: Described His New Role Off the Bench as Beneficial
On November 2, 2022, CBS Sports reported that Westbrook had described his new role coming off the bench as "'beneficial for everybody'".
2022: Trade to Utah Jazz and Signing with Los Angeles Clippers
In 2022, Russell Westbrook was traded to the Utah Jazz and subsequently bought out before signing with the Los Angeles Clippers later in the 2022–23 season.
January 15, 2023: Most Triple-Doubles Off The Bench in NBA History
On January 15, 2023, Westbrook put up 20 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists off the bench in a 113–112 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. It was his fourth career triple-double off the bench, which set a record for the most triple-doubles off the bench in NBA history.
February 9, 2023: Traded to the Utah Jazz
On February 9, 2023, Westbrook was traded to the Utah Jazz in a three-team trade involving the Minnesota Timberwolves.
February 22, 2023: Signed with the Los Angeles Clippers
On February 22, 2023, Westbrook signed with the Los Angeles Clippers, reuniting with his former Thunder teammate Paul George. Westbrook became a starter with the Clippers.
July 6, 2023: Re-signed with Clippers
On July 6, 2023, Russell Westbrook re-signed with the Los Angeles Clippers for a two-year, $7.8 million contract.
July 2023: Coach Lue Praised Westbrook's effort and toughness
In July 2023, Clippers Coach Tyronn Lue praised Westbrook's effort and toughness, saying that Westbrook had "saved" the Clippers during the final 20 games of the regular season following injuries to Paul George and others.
2023: Jersey Number Change
In the 2023-24 NBA season, Russell Westbrook finally wore the number 4 jersey, something he was unable to do earlier in his career due to it being already taken.
January 1, 2024: Passed Patrick Ewing on all-time scoring list
On January 1, 2024, Russell Westbrook surpassed Patrick Ewing for 25th place on the NBA's all-time scoring list.
April 26, 2024: Ejected from Game Three
On April 26, 2024, Russell Westbrook was ejected after receiving two technical fouls for fouling Luka Dončić and shoving P. J. Washington during Game Three of the first-round playoff game against the Dallas Mavericks, which the Clippers lost 101–90.
July 18, 2024: Traded to Utah Jazz
On July 18, 2024, Russell Westbrook was traded to the Utah Jazz alongside draft rights to Balša Koprivica, a second-round pick swap, and cash considerations in exchange for Kris Dunn.
July 26, 2024: Signed with Denver Nuggets
On July 26, 2024, Russell Westbrook signed with the Denver Nuggets.
November 6, 2024: Scored 29 points against former team
On November 6, 2024, Russell Westbrook scored 29 points, with six rebounds and six assists in a 124–122 win against his former team, the Oklahoma City Thunder.
2024: Trades and Signing with Denver Nuggets
In the summer of 2024, Russell Westbrook was traded again to the Utah Jazz and then waived before signing with the Denver Nuggets for the 2024–25 season.
January 10, 2025: Recorded a triple-double
On January 10, 2025, Russell Westbrook recorded a triple-double with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 124–105 win over the Brooklyn Nets, in a game where teammate Jokić also recorded a triple-double, making them the first pair of teammates in NBA history to each record a triple-double in multiple games in a single season.
May 27, 2025: Underwent Hand Surgery
On May 27, 2025, Russell Westbrook underwent surgery on his right hand to repair multiple ligament tears.
October 16, 2025: Signed with Sacramento Kings
On October 16, 2025, Russell Westbrook signed a one-year, minimum salary contract with the Sacramento Kings.
2025: Signing with Sacramento Kings
For the 2025-26 season, Russell Westbrook signed with the Sacramento Kings, adding another team to his NBA journey.
January 3, 2026: Became point guard with most career points scored
On January 3, 2026, Russell Westbrook scored 17 points, along with nine rebounds and six assists in a 129–102 loss to the Phoenix Suns, surpassing Oscar Robertson to become the point guard with the most career points scored in NBA history and moving into 15th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
Mentioned in this timeline
Basketball is a team sport played on a rectangular court...
Michael Jordan or MJ is an American businessman and retired...
LeBron James nicknamed King James is an American professional basketball...
Kevin Durant KD is an American professional basketball player considered...
James Harden is an American professional basketball player for the...
The Los Angeles Lakers are a professional basketball team based...
Trending
1 hour ago Barcelona and Real Madrid Clash in El Clasico with Title Implications and High Stakes.
3 hours ago Fiji: Conservation, Luxury Resorts, and Island Life Explored by Scuba Pioneer.
3 hours ago Naomi Osaka faces Diana Shnaider in WTA Rome; predictions and odds analyzed.
4 hours ago Ugo Humbert at ATP Rome: Predictions, Odds, and Match Updates
4 hours ago Kevin O'Leary's Utah data center faces controversy over environmental impact and political hurdles.
5 hours ago Parma's probable formation, Roma's Champions League chase, and Cuesta's pride.
Popular
Ted Turner is an American entrepreneur and media mogul best...
Michael Joseph Jackson the King of Pop was a highly...
Rudy Giuliani is an American politician and disbarred lawyer best...
Graham Cunningham Platner is an American oyster farmer and Marine...
William Franklin Graham III known as Franklin Graham is an...
Paula White-Cain is a prominent American televangelist and key figure...