By The Daily Caller (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-13 14:36:36 | Updated at 2026-08-13 17:09:04
13 hours ago
The game of basketball just lost a great one.
Russell Westbrook, an 18-year NBA veteran that competed for seven franchises during his time in the league, has announced his retirement. The icon made the announcement Wednesday on social media.
“Sometimes you don’t even know when you’ve already watched the end,” said Westbrook, 37, on his post, which featured a clip of his career with actor Michael B. Jordan narrating. “You had to be there. And now it’s over.” (RELATED: Teddy Bridgewater Retires, Lions Pivot To Joshua Dobbs For Backup Quarterback Duties)
Over the offseason, Westbrook received offers from the Washington Wizards and Sacramento Kings, but decided to retire from the NBA under his own terms, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, who cited sources.
Being named an all-star nine times, Westbrook averaged 20.9 points per game, 8.0 assists per game and 6.9 rebounds per game throughout his career. He is the owner of the NBA record for most career triple-doubles, having a total of 209 that eclipses the prior record-holder Oscar Robertson, who had 181. Standing since 1974, Westbrook broke the record in 2021.
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
On a purely basketball level, the NBA is losing an absolute legend. Russ was a walking, breathing hurricane in his prime, and quite frankly, it’s going to be sad to not see any version of him on the court.
On a personal level, Westbrook’s retirement makes me feel old. At 35 years old, watching the players you grew up with slowly fade out of the box scores is a harsh reminder of time passing.
I still remember Russ’s college days at UCLA. I still remember the uprising of the elite Oklahoma City Thunder corps with him; Kevin Durant and James Harden. I still remember my Miami Heat beating them in the NBA Finals during the Big 3 era, and Westbrook scaring the absolute hell out of me in the process. I still have those memories fresh in my mind, and now he’s retiring. It’s just crazy.
I think I’ve approached a time in my life and career where I now hate covering retirements … this is sad.
