Russell Westbrook retires after 18 NBA seasons
The former NBA MVP announced his retirement, ending an 18-year career that included nine All-NBA selections and the league record for triple-doubles.
Russell Westbrook announced his retirement last week via an Instagram video. The former NBA Most Valuable Player concluded an 18-season career in which he appeared in 1,301 games for seven teams, most notably spending 11 seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Westbrook finishes his career ranked 14th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list and fifth in assists. He is one of only two players, alongside LeBron James, to record more than 25,000 points and 10,000 assists, and one of three to surpass 25,000 points, 7,000 rebounds and 7,000 assists. His résumé includes nine All-NBA selections, two scoring titles, three assist titles, a 2017 MVP award and membership on the league’s 75th-anniversary team.
The guard also became the first player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double for a season, achieving the feat three consecutive years with Oklahoma City and repeating it later with Washington. He posted a career-high 49-point, 15-rebound, 10-assist game in 2015 after returning from facial surgery.
"Coming in before practice is probably harder," assistant coach Mo Cheeks told a reporter when asked about workout timing.
Westbrook’s tenure included stints with the Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers, Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings before he decided to step away from the game.