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Russell Westbrook's intensity gives him an edge in the NBA, but it has also cost his team games as he often gets tossed for misconduct and leaves his team hanging. Nonetheless, he will go down as one of the best players in league history.
Mr. Triple Double started his NBA career in 2008 after he was selected by the OKC Thunder with the 4th overall pick in the 2008 draft. In Russell Westbrook's 13-year career, he has made nine All-Star appearances and now holds the NBA record for the most career triple-doubles.
Despite a slow start to the 2021-22 NBA season, Russell Westbrook opened his triple-double in the LA Lakers' last game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He now has 185 career triple-doubles, gradually pulling away from Oscar Robertson's 181.
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As much as Russell Westbrook is an all-around athlete, his lackluster effort to play defense has sometimes put his team on the receiving end of proper thrashings. The two-time scoring champ, like every other great, has gotten his fair share of losses in his career.
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Russell Westbrook: Worst losses in the NBA so far
#5 27-point loss against the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 of the 2016 playoffs WCF
Russell Westbrook was exceptional in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals against the Golden State Warriors. He recorded 27 points, 12 assists, six rebounds, and seven steals to lead the OKC Thunder to a 108-102 victory.
However, he was not as impressive in Game 2. The Warriors came prepared as they evened the series, winning the game 118-91. Russell Westbrook finished with 16 points and 12 assists, shooting 5-of-14 from the field and converting only one three-pointer in five attempts.
The OKC Thunder responded with two victories and Russell Westbrook recording 30+ points in both games. But their 3-1 series lead was not enough to see them advance to the NBA Finals as the Warriors won the next three games to close out the series.
#4 29-point loss against the Philadelphia 76ers in Round 1 Game 3 of the 2021 NBA playoffs
The Washington Wizards fought through the play-in tournament to clinch the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference, but they were to face the dreaded Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers. They were easy pickings for the Sixers, and there was not much Russell Westbrook could do about it.
In Game 3, the Sixers registered the biggest winning margin of the series after a 132-103 thrashing. Russell Westbrook put in a good shift, leading the team with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and ten assists while shooting 50% from the field but his efforts alone were not enough.
#3 31-point loss against the Houston Rockets in Round 1 Game 1 of the 2017 NBA playoffs
Russell Westbrook joined the Houston Rockets in 2019, but before that, he had endured one of his worst losses at their hands. The Thunder finished sixth in the Western Conference standings during the 2016-17 season and had to square off against the 3rd-placed James Harden and the Rockets in the first round of the playoffs.
It seemed like there was nothing Russell Westbrook could do to help his team advance to the next round. He registered 22 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists in Game 1 but still lost the game by 31 points. While it might not seem like much based on the earlier statement, a 51-point triple-double for Russ in Game 2 still resulted in a loss for the Thunder.
The OKC Thunder were kicked out of the tournament after five games in the first round. Russell Westbrook averaged 37.4 points, 11.6 rebounds and 10.8 assists in that series but could muster only one win.
#2 32-point loss against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of the 2016 playoffs WCS
The OKC Thunder decimated the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the 2016 NBA playoffs, losing only one game by a 1-point margin and winning the Games 3 to 5 by comfortable double-digit margins. Unfortunately, their streak ended when they faced the San Antonio Spurs in the conference semi-finals.
The Spurs gave Russell Westbrook and the Thunder a taste of their medicine, taking Game 1 with a 32-point margin. The triple-double king ended the game with 14 points, nine assists and two rebounds.
#1 35-point loss against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 2 of the 2014 playoffs WCF
The Spurs were once again responsible for ending the Thunder's run in the playoffs. Russell Westbrook and Co. had successfully reached the conference finals after defeating the LA Clippers but they could not get past Tim Duncan and his compatriots.
After losing Game 1, the Thunder started Game 2 on a high note with a first-quarter lead. But they soon lost their way as they went into intermission, 14 points behind. Russell Westbrook was the joint highest-scorer on the team with 15 points, but they lost the game 112-77 in what has been the highest losing matchup of his career.
