Russell Westbrook's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Russell Westbrook. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

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.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

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.

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: 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.

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.

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.

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.

2014: NBA Scoring Leader

In 2014, Russell Westbrook was an NBA scoring leader for the 2014-15 season, showcasing his offensive prowess.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.