Russell Westbrook made headlines on Wednesday night by leading the Sacramento Kings to a narrow 121-116 victory over the Golden State Warriors. In a standout performance, Westbrook recorded 23 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists, marking a significant milestone in his illustrious career. With this accomplishment, he officially passed Jason Kidd. Now he’s the all-time leader in career rebounds for a guard with an astounding 8734 rebounds.
Those 16 rebounds were indispensable to the Kings. They were gifted additional possessions in the closing minutes, which allowed them to run more clock and salt away the victory. Considering what he’s given the team thus far, it’s almost impossible to overstate his contributions, especially since Westbrook is a week away from his 37th birthday.
Westbrook began the 2023-24 season as the most-obtained player in the NBA by minutes played. He has wasted little time in making himself an indispensable player. He ultimately signed an NFL veteran minimum contract with the team late in training camp. He’d been waiting all summer for Sacramento’s front office to settle on the final pieces of their roster. He shared his thought process for being courted by the teams, “I don’t go anywhere that I’m not wanted.”
In those last six games, Westbrook’s minutes have ranged between 27 and 37. His adjustments ability, therefore, emphasizes the impact and importance he has on the winning success of his team. His performance against the Warriors included a memorable moment where he directed his 14th rebound into a tip pass for his 10th assist, further showcasing his all-around skills.
After the game, Westbrook was asked about his dominance on the boards. “Humbly speaking, I’m the best rebounding guard ever,” he stated confidently. His teammate Malik Monk had some pretty amazing comments about Westbrook’s effect on the team. Monk remarked, “Especially in the starting unit. I feel like for the last few years, we’ve been starting games pretty bad. With him going to the starting unit, it brings more oomph, more energy.”
Westbrook’s play wasn’t just a reflection of Westbrook – it underscored his greatest gift, which was his talent for energizing the downtrodden or empowering the overlooked. Monk noted, “It’s crazy how he’s that old and still doing this,” emphasizing the guard’s enduring talent and commitment to the game.
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