Russell Westbrook announced he was stepping away from the NBA after 18 seasons in a video released on Wednesday, Aug. 12.
\nWestbrook played for seven different teams in the league but had his longest stint with the Oklahoma City Thunder from 2008 to 2019.
\nThe point guard was voted the 2016-17 MVP and was a nine-time All-Star during his career.
\nWestbrook averaged 20.9 points, 8 assists and 6.9 rebounds per game but is referred to as Mr. Triple-Double for producing 209 career triple-doubles.
\nHe finishes his career as the all-time leader; his former teammate, Nikola Jokic, is threatening to take over the record as he's sitting at 198 career triple-doubles.
\nHere’s how basketball fans honored Westbrook following his announcement:
\nRussell Westbrook praised after announcement
\n\nSometimes you don’t even know when you’ve already watched the end.
— Russell Westbrook (@russwest44) August 12, 2026
You had to be there. And now it’s over. pic.twitter.com/6YoOW8WyIV
\nThunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti:
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) August 12, 2026
"Russell Westbrook is the ultimate competitor.
His internal belief and unbridled fearlessness helped establish the foundation of our organization from day one in 2008 and he elevated the confidence and inspired…
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.
\n\nLittle did we know, that would be Russell Westbrook’s final season 🥲
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) August 12, 2026
(via @MattGeorgeSAC) pic.twitter.com/GsYQdHQkNj
\nFinal bucket of Russell Westbrook's career 🥲
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 12, 2026
March 19th, 2026 pic.twitter.com/eeDcZtRTyN
\nCongrats on retirement, Russ! We’re honored to be part of your legendary career ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/3sdJv6GdSV
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) August 12, 2026
\nGrateful Sacramento was part of an unforgettable career. Congratulations on 18 incredible seasons. Enjoy retirement, Brodie 💜 @russwest44pic.twitter.com/l66Qo1k7Nx
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) August 12, 2026
\nRussell Westbrook's career in 18 seasons
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) August 12, 2026
▫️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 everythingpic.twitter.com/fdUqBzXAnI
\nRussell Westbrook has retired from the NBA.
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) August 12, 2026
Brodie was special in his time with @UCLAMBB 👏 pic.twitter.com/P9x9ALQevD
\n2x gold medalist Russell Westbook has announced his retirement.
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 12, 2026
Thank you @russwest44 for all of your contributions to the game & USA Basketball! 🇺🇸 #USABfamilypic.twitter.com/y62soDYTz2
\nRussell Westbrook had a career for the books 📚
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) August 12, 2026
🏀 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
\nI still can’t believe he pulled this off https://t.co/5v7GUvyQfY
— Kazeem Famuyide 🇳🇬 🍎 (@Kazeem) August 12, 2026
\nCongrats on your retirement, Russ!
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) August 12, 2026
Thank you for the memories 🤞 pic.twitter.com/BkjVwvtsup
Several current and former NBA players, including Trae Young and Donovan Mitchell, shared their thoughts on the future Hall of Famer.
\n\nDamn Brodie… an absolute Legend! What a hell of a career!
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) August 12, 2026
🫡 @russwest44
\nThank You @russwest44 🫡
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) August 12, 2026
\nSome careers need no words. Congratulations, Russell 🤝 https://t.co/JdE5ZAXDr0pic.twitter.com/OvcPjmqr0T
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) August 12, 2026
\nGREATEST POINT GUARD EVER!!!! 🖤 https://t.co/qZcUnpwz0m
— Dejounte Murray (@DejounteMurray) August 12, 2026
\nRussell Westbrook. Man, what do you even say.
— Michael Redd (@MichaelRedd_) August 12, 2026
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…
\nBig shouts to Russell Westbrook on a LEGENDARY career 🫡
— 7PM in Brooklyn (@7PMinBrooklyn) August 12, 2026
Free invite to pull up on the couch whenever brodie! https://t.co/yVQBsSGAOOpic.twitter.com/aJyzpo8I4H
\n"One of the best point guards to ever pick up a basketball"@adaniels33 reacts to the breaking news of Russell Westbrook announcing his retirement after 18 seasons with @WorldWideWob
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) August 12, 2026
Hear Give and Go weekdays from 2-4 PM ET: https://t.co/SvrOaCZqlXpic.twitter.com/hTzwIfh2CD
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Russell Westbrook retires from NBA: Fans' reaction on social media


















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