Russell Westbrook and LeBron James were once seen as a star-powered duo capable of bringing another championship to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Instead, their time together ended in disappointment, awkward exits, and now, a noticeable silence between them. When Westbrook was asked after the Nuggets’ Game 1 win over the Thunder if he had spoken to LeBron about tips for the Met Gala, his reply was simple but telling:
“I haven’t talked to Bron in, I don’t know how long.”
A reporter asks Russell Westbrook if he gave LeBron James any tips for the Met Gala
“I haven’t talked to Bron in—I don’t know how long.”😅
(h/t @NotLikeRuss / @Fullcourtpass )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 6, 2025
That’s a long way from where things started.
Westbrook and James joined forces in 2021, surrounded by immense hype and expectations. The pairing of the explosive former MVP with one of the greatest players in NBA history seemed like a match made for Hollywood.
But from the outset, the fit never clicked. On-court chemistry issues, coaching uncertainty, and injuries plagued the Lakers. Westbrook, often blamed for the team’s underperformance, became the scapegoat of a failed experiment.
Reports at the time suggested friction behind the scenes. Klutch Sports, LeBron’s agency, was reportedly pushing for a trade involving Westbrook and a future first-round pick for John Wall.
When the Lakers refused, tensions allegedly grew. By the end of the 2022-23 season, Westbrook was traded away, and his name became a cautionary tale for stars unable to adapt to LeBron’s orbit.
Fast forward to 2025, and Westbrook is thriving in Denver. He’s embraced a bench role, rediscovered his rhythm, and is now playing meaningful playoff basketball again.
His Game 1 performance against OKC, 18 points and a game-winning assist, was vintage Westbrook. He looked comfortable, empowered, and unbothered. So when the postgame question came about LeBron and the Met Gala, his answer didn’t feel bitter. It felt like closure.
LeBron, meanwhile, is sidelined with a knee injury, unable to attend the Met Gala where he was set to be an honorary co-chair. His wife, Savannah, took his place and stole the spotlight. The King stayed home, reflecting perhaps, not just on the event he missed, but also the season that slipped away.
Westbrook’s revelation is notable because it confirms what many suspected. Their relationship has cooled. Whether it’s frostiness or simply professional drift, the two haven’t kept in touch. And maybe they don’t need to.
Not every teammate bond becomes a lifelong friendship, especially in the NBA, where egos, business, and pressure constantly collide.
What matters more now is that Westbrook is writing his redemption story. His time in L.A. may have fallen short, but his contributions in Denver are gaining traction.
And as he continues his playoff run, he’s proving that his career still has chapters worth reading, whether LeBron is part of the story or not.
