SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The 204th triple-double of Russell Westbrook’s 18-year NBA profession got here in his eighth sport along with his seventh skilled staff. It was as loud and impactful as lots of the memorable ones that got here earlier than.
Westbrook, who signed a veteran minimal contract with the Sacramento Kings late in coaching camp, completed with 23 factors, 16 rebounds and 10 assists in a 121-116 win over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night time.
The Kings have been with out Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine and Keegan Murray. The Warriors have been with out Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Inexperienced. In a depleted matchup devoid of typical star energy, Westbrook rose and muscled the Kings throughout the end line to enhance their file to 3-5.
“Each night time is a dogfight,” Westbrook stated. “Our schedule is fairly tough proper now, but when we knuckle up and compete at a excessive degree … that is one thing I wish to convey.”
With 4:31 left, Westbrook directed his 14th rebound right into a tip move for his tenth help, routing it to Dennis Schroder for a top-of-the-key made 3 to place the Kings up eight. His fifteenth and sixteenth rebounds delivered Sacramento additional possessions to take advantage of the clock down the stretch. His defensive exercise prompted Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski to lose the ball out of bounds with 8.9 seconds left, clinching the win. Westbrook roared on the residence crowd in celebration afterward.
“Humbly talking, I am the most effective rebounding guard ever,” Westbrook stated postgame. “So if the ball come throughout the rim, I will get it.”
Westbrook made that declare previous to studying he had truly made NBA historical past Wednesday night time. Westbrook’s 16 rebounds gave him 8,734 for his profession, surpassing Jason Kidd (8,725) for essentially the most rebounds by a guard. So his declare has some statistical benefit.
“Oh,” Westbrook stated. “Truthfully, I did not even know that. I will want the sport ball.”
Westbrook opened the season towards the again of the Kings’ rotation. He needed to wait all summer time whereas Sacramento’s new entrance workplace, led by common supervisor Scott Perry, discovered its closing roster. He signed late. He performed 19 and 17 minutes within the first two video games.
However Westbrook’s exercise degree was such an apparent jolt to a Kings roster and franchise in want of life that he shortly grew to become a significant participant. Westbrook has performed 27, 30, 29, 34, 37 and 35 minutes up to now six video games. He has been elevated into the beginning lineup.
“We wanted it unhealthy,” teammate Malik Monk stated of Westbrook. “Particularly within the beginning unit. I really feel like for the previous few years, we have been beginning video games fairly unhealthy. With him going to the beginning unit, it brings extra oomph, extra vitality.”
Westbrook made some buzz earlier within the week when he advised reporters in Denver that the Nuggets — his earlier NBA staff — advised him that they did not need him again after the playoffs. Westbrook declined his participant possibility after which spent the summer time ready for his alternative with the Kings to materialize.
“I do not go wherever I am not needed,” Westbrook stated in Denver. “I needn’t.”
Westbrook turns 37 in seven days.
“It is loopy how he that outdated and nonetheless doing this,” Monk stated. “Dominating the sport.”