Russell Westbrook impressed yet again for the Denver Nuggets in their 132-123 win over the Sacramento Kings at Ball Arena on Thursday. Westbrook has played much better for the Nuggets than many expected him to and postgame, he credited his good play to the team allowing him to be himself.
“I’m grateful for them wanting me to come here, and then second, getting here and allowing me to be able to be who I’ve been my entire career. So, I’m grateful for that. Nikola (Jokic) has been a huge advocate for that, for the betterment of the team. And I’m grateful to share the court with the best player in the world and I don’t take that opportunity for granted.”
While the Nuggets have allowed Westbrook, who had 18 points (7-10 FG), five rebounds, three assists, and a steal against the Kings, to do his thing, he has adjusted as well. We are seeing him cut to the basket a lot more than in recent years and playing with a passer like Nikola Jokic means you’re going to get easy baskets when you do that.
Westbrook is shooting 70% on shots within three feet from the rim in 2024-25, the best mark of his career. It’s led to the 36-year-old having one of the most efficient seasons of his career, as he is shooting 47.1% from the field, his second-highest in a single campaign.
While Jokic has undoubtedly been the Nuggets’ best player this season, you could argue Westbrook has been the second-best. The nine-time All-Star has been effective on offense as both a scorer and playmaker and has defended at a fairly high level as well. He is averaging 13.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game in 2024-25 and it’s great to see him play with a smile on his face again.
Nikola Jokic Feels The Lakers And Clippers Misunderstood Russell Westbrook
While Westbrook is thriving on the Nuggets, that wasn’t the case on his two previous pitstops. He struggled mightily with the Los Angeles Lakers and had a solid but unspectacular stint with the Los Angeles Clippers. It’s why not many expected much from him on the Nuggets but Jokic reckons Westbrook’s past struggles were down to the Lakers and Clippers not giving him the opportunity to be himself.
“I love the connection we have,” Jokic said. “I just need to look at him and he knows exactly what I’m thinking. I’m a little bit slower so he waits for me to get to my spot and he passes it at the right time. He’s a great player. I think the teams he played for in the past misunderstood him and didn’t give him the opportunity to be himself.”
Westbrook certainly wasn’t given the opportunity to be himself on the Lakers. Everyone on the outside knew he was a bad fit next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis and it was hardly surprising that he struggled there. With the Clippers, meanwhile, Westbrook saw his role reduce greatly once James Harden arrived.
Both the Lakers and Clippers didn’t set Westbrook up for success. The Nuggets have and they’re reaping the benefits of it. He and they will be in action next against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on Saturday at 3 PM ET.
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