RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Russell Westbrook is stepping away from the NBA after 18 seasons, he announced it in a video released on Wednesday, Aug. 12.
Westbrook played for seven different teams in the league but had his longest stint with the Oklahoma City Thunder from 2008 to 2019.
The point guard was voted the 2016-17 MVP and was a nine-time All-Star during his career.
Westbrook averaged 20.9 points, eight assists and 6.9 rebounds per game but is referred to as Mr. Triple-Double for producing 209 career triple-doubles.
He finishes his career as the all-time leader; his former teammate Nikola Jokic is threatening to take over the record with 198 career triple-doubles.
Here’s how basketball fans honored Westbrook following his announcement:
Russell Westbrook praised after announcement
Sometimes you don’t even know when you’ve already watched the end. You had to be there. And now it’s over. pic.twitter.com/6YoOW8WyIV
— Russell Westbrook (@russwest44) August 12, 2026
Little did we know, that would be Russell Westbrook’s final season 🥲 (via @MattGeorgeSAC ) pic.twitter.com/GsYQdHQkNj
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) August 12, 2026 The former UCLA basketball player also played for the Houston Rockets , Washington Wizards , Los Angeles Lakers , L.A. Clippers and Denver Nuggets before playing his final season with the Sacramento Kings .
Final bucket of Russell Westbrook's career 🥲 March 19th, 2026 pic.twitter.com/eeDcZtRTyN
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 12, 2026
Congrats on retirement, Russ! We’re honored to be part of your legendary career ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/3sdJv6GdSV
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) August 12, 2026
Russell Westbrook's career in 18 seasons ▫️9x All-Star ▫️9x All-NBA ▫️3x Assists Champion ▫️2x Scoring Champion ▫️2x All-Star Game MVP ▫️2016-17 NBA MVP ▫️Member of the 75th Anniversary Team ▫️All Time Triple Double Leader Thank you for everything pic.twitter.com/fdUqBzXAnI
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) August 12, 2026
Russell Westbrook has retired from the NBA. Brodie was special in his time with @UCLAMBB 👏 pic.twitter.com/P9x9ALQevD
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) August 12, 2026
2x gold medalist Russell Westbook has announced his retirement. Thank you @russwest44 for all of your contributions to the game & USA Basketball! 🇺🇸 #USABfamily pic.twitter.com/y62soDYTz2
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 12, 2026
Russell Westbrook had a career for the books 📚 🏀 209 career triple-doubles, most in NBA history 🏀 1 of 2 players in NBA history with 25,000 points & 10,000 assists 🏀 14th on the NBA all-time scoring list (27,176) 🏀 1 of 14 players to record 2,000 career steals (2,038) pic.twitter.com/w3FQ1WRfpJ
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) August 12, 2026 Several current and former NBA players, including Dejounte Murray and Michael Redd, shared their thoughts on the future Hall of Famer.
GREATEST POINT GUARD EVER!!!! 🖤 https://t.co/qZcUnpwz0m
— Dejounte Murray (@DejounteMurray) August 12, 2026
Russell Westbrook. Man, what do you even say. Every time you figured you had him read, thought he'd go right, he'd go left on you. He played his whole career that way and...he gave us one more surprise today. Russell was one of my favorite guys to line up against near the end…
— Michael Redd (@MichaelRedd_) August 12, 2026
Big shouts to Russell Westbrook on a LEGENDARY career 🫡 Free invite to pull up on the couch whenever brodie! https://t.co/yVQBsSGAOO pic.twitter.com/aJyzpo8I4H
— 7PM in Brooklyn (@7PMinBrooklyn) August 12, 2026 This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Russell Westbrook retires from NBA: Fans' reaction on social media
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