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 an American professional basketball player currently with the Denver Nuggets. Primarily a point guard, he entered the NBA in 2008 and rose to prominence with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He has played for six NBA teams throughout his career.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1982: First winner from a team with fewer than 50 wins since 1982

On June 26, 2017, Russell Westbrook was the first MVP winner from a team with fewer than 50 wins since Moses Malone in 1982.

1988: Most triple-doubles in a season since 1988

On March 22, Russell Westbrook recorded his 15th triple-double of the season and 34th of his career. It was the most triple-doubles by a player in a season since 1988-89, when Magic Johnson had 17 and Michael Jordan had 15.

1988: First player since Magic Johnson in 1988 to record 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.

1989: Longest triple-double streak since Michael Jordan

On December 9, 2016, Westbrook recorded his seventh straight triple-double. This streak was the longest triple-double streak since Michael Jordan had seven straight triple-doubles in 1989.

January 6, 2006: Career-Best 51 Points

On January 6, 2006, Russell Westbrook registered a career-best 51 points at Carson.

2008: NBA All-Rookie First Team

In 2008, Russell Westbrook finished fourth in the 2008–09 NBA Rookie of the Year voting and was named to the NBA's NBA All-Rookie First Team.

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 player since LeBron James to have three straight triple-doubles

On February 27, 2015, in a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, Westbrook recorded 40 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists to become the first player to have three straight triple-doubles since LeBron James did so in 2009.

November 26, 2010: Career-High 43 Points

On November 26, 2010, Russell Westbrook scored a then-career-high 43 points against the Indiana Pacers.

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.

2011: First NBA All-Star Game Selection

In 2011, Russell Westbrook was selected by NBA head coaches to be a Western Conference reserve for the 2011 NBA All-Star Game, marking his first all-star appearance.

March 23, 2012: Career-High 45 Points

On March 23, 2012, Russell Westbrook scored a career-high 45 points in a 149–140 double overtime win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

2012: Olympics Gold Medal

In 2012, Russell Westbrook represented the United States national team and won a gold medal in the Olympics.

2012: Selection to 2012 Summer Olympic team

In 2012, Russell Westbrook was selected to play for the Summer Olympics team in London, where he won a second gold medal.

2012: NBA All-Star Game Selection

In the 2012-13 season, Russell Westbrook was selected for the NBA All-Star Game.

February 20, 2014: Return to Lineup

On February 20, 2014, Russell Westbrook returned to the Thunder's lineup after arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

May 27, 2014: Game 4 Victory

On May 27, 2014, in a Game 4 victory, Russell Westbrook recorded 40 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists and 5 steals.

2014: NBA Scoring Leader

In 2014, Russell Westbrook led the NBA in scoring for the 2014-15 season.

February 4, 2015: Tied Career-High 45 Points

On February 4, 2015, Russell Westbrook tied a career-high 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.

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 Award

In 2016, Russell Westbrook earned his second All-Star Game MVP award. He recorded 31 points, eight rebounds, five assists and five steals, and became the first player in All-Star history to win consecutive MVPs outright.

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: NBA Most Valuable Player Award

On June 26, 2017, Russell Westbrook was named the recipient of the NBA Most Valuable Player Award.

September 29, 2017: Westbrook signs $205 million contract extension with the Thunder

On September 29, 2017, Russell Westbrook signed a five-year, $205 million contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder. This deal, starting with the 2018–19 season, made Westbrook the recipient of the largest guaranteed contract in NBA history at that time, totaling six seasons and $233 million through 2022–23. The contract included a player option for the 2022–23 season.

March 13, 2018: Westbrook records his 100th career triple-double

On March 13, 2018, Russell 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: 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 154–147 double-overtime loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

October 26, 2019: Westbrook becomes second all-time in career triple-doubles

On October 26, 2019, in his second game as a Rocket, Russell Westbrook became second all-time in career triple-doubles, surpassing 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: Westbrook records 35 points, 21 assists, and 14 rebounds

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, a then-season-high 21 assists, plus 14 rebounds, in a 132–124 win over the Indiana Pacers.

January 15, 2023: Westbrook sets record for most triple-doubles off the bench in NBA history

On January 15, 2023, Russell Westbrook put up 20 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists off the bench in a 113–112 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, marking his fourth career triple-double off the bench and setting a record for the most in NBA history.

January 10, 2025: Triple-double vs Brooklyn Nets

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, while his teammate Nikola Jokić also achieved a triple-double, marking the first time they both recorded a triple-double in the same game multiple times in a season.