Russell Westbrook addresses free agency rumors
Westbrook is happy in L.A. and he told ESPN he’s ready for whatever the future brings, whether that’s playing at the Clippers’ new Intuit Dome next season or bringing his unwavering confidence to another franchise. “If I’m here, if I’m there, I’ll do whatever the team is asking me to do,” Westbrook said of his future. “I think there’s a narrative that people have made up that I have been fighting against …. But I’m always a team-first guy.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
🆕 @TheAthletic
Russell Westbrook starts his 1st game of season without Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, unleashes a 16/15/15 triple-double
Clippers lead 35-4 in Phoenix
And they hold on to win first division title in 10 years while Suns shoot 33.7%
theathletic.com/5404746/2024/0… pic.twitter.com/r9MG9bT4B2 – 3:54 AM
🆕 @TheAthletic
Russell Westbrook starts his 1st game of season without Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, unleashes a 16/15/15 triple-double
Clippers lead 35-4 in Phoenix
And they hold on to win first division title in 10 years while Suns shoot 33.7%
theathletic.com/5404746/2024/0… pic.twitter.com/r9MG9bT4B2 – 3:54 AM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Russell Westbrook did not seek out a game ball for tonight’s triple double.
But he told me that he would for regular season triple double #200.
Another chance to do it tomorrow vs Suns – 1:17 AM
Russell Westbrook did not seek out a game ball for tonight’s triple double.
But he told me that he would for regular season triple double #200.
Another chance to do it tomorrow vs Suns – 1:17 AM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Russell Westbrook on starting, triple double #199 in regular season, guarding Kevin Durant pic.twitter.com/k2ZmWOyket – 1:01 AM
Russell Westbrook on starting, triple double #199 in regular season, guarding Kevin Durant pic.twitter.com/k2ZmWOyket – 1:01 AM
Janis Carr @janiscarr
Russell Westbrook is the first player in franchise history with at least 15 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists in a single game per the Clippers – 12:26 AM
Russell Westbrook is the first player in franchise history with at least 15 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists in a single game per the Clippers – 12:26 AM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Russell Westbrook in a win over KD and the Suns tonight
16 PTS
15 REB
15 AST
pic.twitter.com/byCr0DhCoK – 12:22 AM
Russell Westbrook in a win over KD and the Suns tonight
16 PTS
15 REB
15 AST
pic.twitter.com/byCr0DhCoK – 12:22 AM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Final: LAC 105, PHX 92
Durant: 21 Pts, 8-22 FG
Beal: 19 Pts, 7 Reb, 6-13 FG
Booker: 12 Pts, 5 Ast, 1-11 FG
Westbrook: 16 Pts, 15 Ast, 15 Reb
George: 23-7-5, 7-15 FG
With this loss and the Pelicans win, PHX falls to the 7-seed in the West, 1 game ahead of the Kings in 8th – 12:21 AM
Final: LAC 105, PHX 92
Durant: 21 Pts, 8-22 FG
Beal: 19 Pts, 7 Reb, 6-13 FG
Booker: 12 Pts, 5 Ast, 1-11 FG
Westbrook: 16 Pts, 15 Ast, 15 Reb
George: 23-7-5, 7-15 FG
With this loss and the Pelicans win, PHX falls to the 7-seed in the West, 1 game ahead of the Kings in 8th – 12:21 AM
StatMuse @statmuse
Westbrook’s first triple-double as a Clipper:
16 PTS
15 REB
15 AST
One triple-double away from 200 in his career. statmuse.com/nba/player/rus… – 12:20 AM
Westbrook’s first triple-double as a Clipper:
16 PTS
15 REB
15 AST
One triple-double away from 200 in his career. statmuse.com/nba/player/rus… – 12:20 AM
StatMuse @statmuse
Players with a 15/15/15 game this season:
Jokic
Luka
And now, Russell Westbrook. pic.twitter.com/H1tpLJQ2Ho – 12:19 AM
Players with a 15/15/15 game this season:
Jokic
Luka
And now, Russell Westbrook. pic.twitter.com/H1tpLJQ2Ho – 12:19 AM
Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
This is Russell Westbrook in his MVP year.
pic.twitter.com/VNYvah8Xww – 11:52 PM
This is Russell Westbrook in his MVP year.
pic.twitter.com/VNYvah8Xww – 11:52 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Well, Clippers lost 3rd quarter 35-18, and 21 points off of their largest lead.
Another quarter like that and there will be history here in Phoenix
For now
Clippers take an 84-68 lead into the fourth quarter
Westbrook: triple-double
Zubac: double-double – 11:45 PM
Well, Clippers lost 3rd quarter 35-18, and 21 points off of their largest lead.
Another quarter like that and there will be history here in Phoenix
For now
Clippers take an 84-68 lead into the fourth quarter
Westbrook: triple-double
Zubac: double-double – 11:45 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
End of 3Q: LAC 84, PHX 68
Durant: 16 Pts, 6-19 FG
Booker: 10 Pts, 4 Ast, 1-10 FG
Gordon: 11 Pts, 4-7 FG
Westbrook: 14 Pts, 15 Ast, 12 Reb, 6-14 FG
Zubac: 17 Pts, 11 Reb, 8-12 FG
Suns win 3Q 35-18 – 11:44 PM
End of 3Q: LAC 84, PHX 68
Durant: 16 Pts, 6-19 FG
Booker: 10 Pts, 4 Ast, 1-10 FG
Gordon: 11 Pts, 4-7 FG
Westbrook: 14 Pts, 15 Ast, 12 Reb, 6-14 FG
Zubac: 17 Pts, 11 Reb, 8-12 FG
Suns win 3Q 35-18 – 11:44 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Including playoffs, Russell Westbrook now has 211 career triple doubles
Now has his first as a Clipper, so he’s triple-doubled for five NBA teams now. – 11:29 PM
Including playoffs, Russell Westbrook now has 211 career triple doubles
Now has his first as a Clipper, so he’s triple-doubled for five NBA teams now. – 11:29 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
199 career triple doubles for Russell Westbrook, first since January 2023 – 11:28 PM
199 career triple doubles for Russell Westbrook, first since January 2023 – 11:28 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
The Clippers have outscored their opponents by 56 points in Russell Westbrook’s last 37 minutes and 18 seconds on the floor (from when Russ subbed in for Harden in 3rd quarter Sunday vs Cavaliers to halftime tonight in Phoenix) – 11:07 PM
The Clippers have outscored their opponents by 56 points in Russell Westbrook’s last 37 minutes and 18 seconds on the floor (from when Russ subbed in for Harden in 3rd quarter Sunday vs Cavaliers to halftime tonight in Phoenix) – 11:07 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Russell Westbrook first half
– 9 points
– 8 rebounds
– 12 assists – 11:00 PM
Russell Westbrook first half
– 9 points
– 8 rebounds
– 12 assists – 11:00 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Suns have 9 rebounds
Russell Westbrook has 7 rebounds
We are on our first Russ triple-double watch of the season – 10:51 PM
Suns have 9 rebounds
Russell Westbrook has 7 rebounds
We are on our first Russ triple-double watch of the season – 10:51 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Westbrook breakaway jam. Scream.
Timeout #Suns. Suns down 17-2 with 7:58 left in 1st quarter. #ClipperNation – 10:17 PM
Westbrook breakaway jam. Scream.
Timeout #Suns. Suns down 17-2 with 7:58 left in 1st quarter. #ClipperNation – 10:17 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Russell Westbrook dunks: 2
Phoenix Suns points: 2
Timeout, Frank Vogel – 10:16 PM
Russell Westbrook dunks: 2
Phoenix Suns points: 2
Timeout, Frank Vogel – 10:16 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Russell Westbrook guarding Kevin Durant.
Grayson Allen guarding Paul George.
There will be switching all night, but thoughts? #Suns – 10:12 PM
Russell Westbrook guarding Kevin Durant.
Grayson Allen guarding Paul George.
There will be switching all night, but thoughts? #Suns – 10:12 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Phoenix welcomes Russell Westbrook and the LA Clippers pic.twitter.com/1towXdYu5y – 10:07 PM
Phoenix welcomes Russell Westbrook and the LA Clippers pic.twitter.com/1towXdYu5y – 10:07 PM
Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
STARTERS 4/9
LAC
Terance Mann
Paul George
Ivica Zubac
Norman Powell
Russell Westbrook
PHX
Grayson Allen
Kevin Durant
Drew Eubanks
Bradley Beal
Devin Booker – 9:37 PM
STARTERS 4/9
LAC
Terance Mann
Paul George
Ivica Zubac
Norman Powell
Russell Westbrook
PHX
Grayson Allen
Kevin Durant
Drew Eubanks
Bradley Beal
Devin Booker – 9:37 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Clippers starting the track meet:
Terance Mann
Paul George
Ivica Zubac
Norman Powell
Russell Westbrook – 9:36 PM
Clippers starting the track meet:
Terance Mann
Paul George
Ivica Zubac
Norman Powell
Russell Westbrook – 9:36 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Here is Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue discussing his level of concern with James Harden (out, foot), as well as Russell Westbrook getting his first start without Harden since November 1 at Los Angeles Lakers
T. Lue: “We don’t expect him to be James, we expect him to be Russ” pic.twitter.com/RwWkcr9bhB – 9:31 PM
Here is Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue discussing his level of concern with James Harden (out, foot), as well as Russell Westbrook getting his first start without Harden since November 1 at Los Angeles Lakers
T. Lue: “We don’t expect him to be James, we expect him to be Russ” pic.twitter.com/RwWkcr9bhB – 9:31 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
James Harden (foot) OUT.
Russell Westbrook will get the start for Harden, Ty Lue said. #Suns #Clippers – 8:36 PM
James Harden (foot) OUT.
Russell Westbrook will get the start for Harden, Ty Lue said. #Suns #Clippers – 8:36 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
James Harden is out
Russell Westbrook will start for first time since November – 8:35 PM
James Harden is out
Russell Westbrook will start for first time since November – 8:35 PM
Clemente Almanza @CAlmanza1007
Can’t believe it’s been 7 years since this happened already
Russell Westbrook broke Oscar Robertson’s triple double record and essentially sealed MVP with this shot
pic.twitter.com/m57eKshXtz – 12:03 PM
Can’t believe it’s been 7 years since this happened already
Russell Westbrook broke Oscar Robertson’s triple double record and essentially sealed MVP with this shot
pic.twitter.com/m57eKshXtz – 12:03 PM
More on this storyline
“When I’m on the floor, I’m able to do other things,” Westbrook said. “Defend at a high level, which I think I’ve been doing pretty much better than anybody in the league this year.” The move has allowed Harden, who now ranks fourth in the league with 8.6 assists per game, to handle more of the playmaking role for the Clippers. “Credit to him,” Harden told ESPN. “At this point, it’s whatever it takes for us to all be winners. … He was the one that initiated the sacrifice and then from there, it’s like, OK, now it’s going to be more my role to be on the ball and kind of run the offense. “[Westbrook’s move was] huge. That was the start of it.” -via ESPN / April 10, 2024
When it comes to figuring out how, George and Clippers coach Ty Lue said the team should look no further than Westbrook’s move to the second unit. “We owed it to him to make it work,” George told ESPN. “All of us collectively, we know what sacrifice looks like now.” Having started 1,039 regular-season games, Westbrook has found ways this season to make an impact off the bench. He has been among the league’s top defenders and continues to be the only player to average 10 points, five rebounds and five assists off the bench in his career, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. While neither Lue nor Westbrook initially knew how the role would play out, the former MVP remained supremely confident that no one can do what he does. “Ain’t nobody better than me coming off the bench, in this league,” Westbrook said. -via ESPN / April 10, 2024
Westbrook’s first full season with the Clippers has hardly gone as he expected. He began the season as the starting point guard but the late-October trade for Harden led to Westbrook becoming a sixth man for his second straight team. But unlike during his brief tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers, Westbrook’s move to the bench this season was the catalyst for the Clippers’ best regular season in the Leonard-George era. “I know who I am and what I’m able to bring to the game,” Westbrook told ESPN. “Nobody’s able to do what I can do since I got in this league. And the reason why I’m in the position I’m in is because nobody ever knew I could do [it on a] night-in and night-out basis.” -via ESPN / April 10, 2024