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 is a highly accomplished American professional basketball player celebrated for his speed, athleticism, and fierce competitiveness. Considered among the greatest point guards, he boasts nine All-Star selections and earned the 2017 NBA MVP award. Notably, Westbrook holds the NBA record for career triple-doubles and was honored on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. Furthermore, he contributed to the U.S. national team's success, securing a gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics. He last played for the Denver Nuggets.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1982: Reference to Moses Malone Winning MVP

On June 26, 2017, Russell Westbrook was named the NBA Most Valuable Player. He became the first winner from a team with fewer than 50 wins since Moses Malone in 1982.

1988: Most triple-doubles by a player in a season since 1988-89

On March 22, 2016, Westbrook recorded his 15th triple-double of the season and 34th of his career, amassing the most triple-doubles by a player in a season since 1988–89, when Magic Johnson had 17 and Michael Jordan had 15.

1988: Reference to Magic Johnson's 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.

1989: Reference to Michael Jordan's Triple-Double Streak in 1989

In December 2016, Russell Westbrook recorded his seventh straight triple-double, a feat not seen since Michael Jordan achieved the same streak in 1989. The comparison highlights the significance of Westbrook's achievement.

January 6, 2006: Registered Career-Best 51 Points

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

March 2, 2009: Recorded 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 to have three straight triple-doubles since LeBron James

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: Scored a then-career-high 43 points against the Indiana Pacers

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

2010: Selected to FIBA World Championship team

In 2010, Russell Westbrook was selected to the FIBA World Championship team in Istanbul, Turkey. Team USA won its first World Championship since 1994.

2010: Won Gold Medal at FIBA World Championship

In 2010, Russell Westbrook won a gold medal in the FIBA World Championship as part of the United States national team.

2011: Selected for the 2011 NBA All-Star Game

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

March 23, 2012: Scored 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: Westbrook won a second gold medal

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

2012: Won Gold Medal at the Olympics

In 2012, Russell Westbrook won a gold medal in the Olympics as part of the United States national team.

2012: Westbrook and Harden played together in the 2012 NBA Finals

Russell Westbrook and James Harden, former teammates on the Thunder, had played together in the 2012 NBA Finals. They reunited when Westbrook was traded to the Rockets on July 16, 2019.

2012: Selected for the NBA All-Star Game

Russell Westbrook was selected for the NBA All-Star Game in 2012.

February 20, 2014: Returned to Lineup After Knee Surgery

On February 20, 2014, Russell Westbrook returned to the lineup after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. He played with limited minutes and sat out the second night of back-to-back games.

May 27, 2014: Recorded 40 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists and 5 steals against Spurs

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: NBA Scoring Leader in 2014-15

Russell Westbrook was an NBA scoring leader, having led the league in 2014–15.

February 4, 2015: Tied Career-High 45 Points

On February 4, 2015, Russell Westbrook tied a career-high 45 points in a 102–91 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

2016: Westbrook's 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, 2017.

2016: Earned Second All-Star Game MVP Award

In 2016, Westbrook earned his second All-Star Game MVP award in a 196–173 win by the West, becoming the first player in All-Star history to win consecutive MVPs outright.

2016: Earned NBA MVP Award for 2016-17 season

Russell Westbrook earned the NBA Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) for the 2016–17 season.

June 26, 2017: Westbrook Wins NBA MVP Award

On June 26, 2017, Russell Westbrook was awarded the NBA Most Valuable Player award, making him the first winner from a team with fewer than 50 wins since Moses Malone in 1982.

2017: Named NBA MVP

In 2017, Russell Westbrook was named the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP).

March 13, 2018: Westbrook Reaches 100 Career Triple-Doubles

On March 13, 2018, Russell Westbrook recorded his 100th career triple-double, becoming the fourth player in NBA history to reach this milestone. He posted 32 points, 12 assists, and 12 rebounds in a 119-107 win over the Atlanta Hawks.

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.

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. He achieved this 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 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 in a win over the Indiana Pacers.

2021: Named to NBA 75th Anniversary Team

In 2021, Russell Westbrook was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

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. He finished the game with 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists in a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

January 1, 2024: Westbrook passed Patrick Ewing on all-time scoring list

On January 1, 2024, Russell Westbrook surpassed Patrick Ewing to take 25th place on the NBA's all-time scoring list.

November 6, 2024: Westbrook scored 29 points against the Thunder

On November 6, 2024, Russell Westbrook scored 29 points, along with six rebounds and six assists in a 124–122 win over his former team, the Oklahoma City Thunder.

January 10, 2025: Westbrook and Jokić each record 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. His teammate Nikola Jokić also put up a triple-double, leading them becoming the first pair of teammates in NBA history to each record a triple-double in the same game multiple times in a season.