Russell Westbrook Announces Retirement After 18 NBA Seasons as Triple-Double Leader

Russell Westbrook announced his retirement Wednesday after 18 NBA seasons. He is first all-time with 209 triple-doubles and fifth with 10,351 career assists.

Westbrook, a former NBA Most Valuable Player, holds the record for the most career triple-doubles in league history.

Russell Westbrook’s retirement from the NBA after an extraordinary 18-season career has prompted an outpouring of tributes from players across the basketball world. The former MVP officially called time on his career at the age of 37, ending an era defined by explosive athleticism, relentless intensity and historic triple-double numbers.Westbrook announced his decision through a reflective video shared on social media, bringing an emotional conclusion to a career that began when he was selected fourth overall in the 2008 NBA Draft. He went on to become a nine-time All-Star, 2017 NBA MVP and a member of the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team."Russell Westbrook has passed his way into NBA history." The all-time triple-doubles leader and 5th all-time in assists… congrats on retirement to one of the game’s great playmakers, @russwest44! pic.twitter.com/3VoE72CTEH— NBA (@NBA) August 12, 2026 The tributes quickly poured in, with LeBron James among those paying respect to his former teammate. James congratulated Westbrook on his career and celebrated the legacy he leaves behind, while former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate James Harden also shared a tribute following the announcement.“HELLUVA CAREER BRODIE!! HOF next!!”— LeBron on Russell Westbrook’s retirement. pic.twitter.com/V6X6erR1PF— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) August 12, 2026 James Harden, via Instagram, para Russell Westbrook, que anunciou sua aposentadoria:“Te amo, mané! Orgulhoso de você ”Até hoje eles são a dupla de companheiros com mais pontos em uma mesma temporada da NBA: 61.5 PPG em 2019-20. pic.twitter.com/ygOPF54Lw8— Red Nation BR (@RedNationBR) August 13, 2026 Westbrook’s statistical legacy is almost unmatched. He retires as the NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles with 209, including a record 42 during his spectacular 2016-17 MVP campaign. He also finished fifth on the league’s all-time assists list with 10,351 and 14th in scoring with 27,176 points.Beyond the numbers, Westbrook earned widespread admiration for the ferocity and passion he brought to every game. His retirement has sparked renewed debate over his place among the greatest point guards in NBA history, with fans and players celebrating a player whose unique style and competitive spirit made him one of the most unforgettable stars of his generation.

Russell Westbrook has officially walked away from his career as an NBA player, announcing his retirement amid the 2026 offseason. The former MVP, who is also the all-time leader in triple-doubles, averaged 15.

Russell Westbrook has announced his retirement from the NBA after an extraordinary 18-season career, bringing an end to one of the most distinctive and accomplished journeys in modern basketball. The 37-year-old former MVP made the announcement on Wednesday through an emotional video shared on social media, closing the chapter on a career defined by intensity, athleticism and historic statistical achievements.Westbrook leaves the league as the NBA's all-time leader in career triple-doubles, with 209 to his name. His most remarkable individual campaign came in the 2016-17 season, when he recorded a then-record 42 triple-doubles and averaged 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists per game. His performances earned him the NBA Most Valuable Player award and made him the first player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double over an entire season. View this post on Instagram Drafted fourth overall by the Seattle SuperSonics in 2008, Westbrook spent his first 11 seasons with the franchise after its relocation to Oklahoma City. He became a central figure in the Thunder's rise and helped the team reach the 2012 NBA Finals alongside Kevin Durant and James Harden. He subsequently played for the Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings.Across his career, Westbrook collected nine All-Star selections, nine All-NBA honours and two scoring titles. He also led the NBA in assists three times and was named to the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team. On the international stage, he won Olympic gold with Team USA in 2012. He finishes his career ranked fifth in NBA history in assists with 10,351 and 14th in scoring with 27,176 points.In announcing his retirement, Westbrook reflected on the journey that took him from a fourth overall draft pick to an MVP and one of the most statistically prolific players in NBA history. After 18 seasons, the "triple-double king" is walking away from the court, leaving behind a legacy that is likely to remain a defining part of NBA history for years to come.

LOS ANGELES, United States — Former NBA Most Valuable Player Russell Westbrook, the league’s triple-double king, has “decided to step away” after 18 seasons in the league. The 37-year-old point guard posted an enigmatic farewell video narrated by actor Michael B. Jordan and captioned: “You had to be there. And now it’s over.” Westbrook doesn’t speak in the video, which shows him watching some of his own career highlights and contemplating blueprints for the future. READ: NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers to be sold for reported $12.5 billion “Now that you decided to step away from everything, on your own terms, what […]...Keep on reading: Westbrook, NBA triple-double king, retires after 18 seasons

Westbrook, 37, recorded 209 ​triple-doubles, including a record 42 during his stellar 2016-17 MVP season.

LOS ANGELES–Former NBA Most Valuable Player Russell Westbrook, the league’s triple-double king, has “decided to step away” after 18 seasons in the league. The 37-year-old point guard posted an enigmatic farewell video narrated by actor Michael B. Jordan and captioned: “You had to be there. And now it’s over.” Westbrook doesn’t speak in the video, which shows him watching some of his own career highlights and contemplating blueprints for the future. “Now that you decided to step away from everything, on your own terms, what are you most proud of,” the narrator asks. “He didn’t say a word, and somehow I […]...Keep on reading: Russell Westbrook retires from NBA after 18 seasons

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) -- Former NBA Most Valuable Player Russell Westbrook, the league's triple-double king, has "decided to step away" after 18 seasons in the league. The 37-year-old point guard posted an enigmatic farewell video narrated by actor Michael B Jordan and captioned: "You had to be there. And now it's over." Westbrook doesn't speak in the video, which shows him watching some of his own career highlights and contemplating blueprints for the future. "Now that you decided to step away from everything, on your own terms, what are you most proud of," the narrator asks. "He didn't say a word, and somehow I understood everything." Westbrook, a nine-time NBA All-Star and an Olympic gold medallist, twice led the league in scoring. He spent 11 seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder, teaming with Kevin Durant and James Harden to win the Western Conference title in 2012 before falling to the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals. He earned MVP honors with the Thunder in 2017. That season he broke Oscar Robertson's venerable record for triple doubles in a regular season, amassing 42 games with double digit totals in three key statistical categories. Robertson's record of 41 triple-doubles had stood since the 1961-62 campaign and Westbrook broke it in spectacular fashion on April 9, 2017, with his third 50-point triple-double of that season. He holds the NBA record for most career triple-doubles with 209, having surpassed Robertson's long-standing mark with his 182nd in 2021. He is one of only three players in NBA history, along with Robertson and Denver star Nikola Jokic, to average a triple-double over a season. Westbrook has done it in four campaigns. Since departing Oklahoma City Westbrook had played for the Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers and Denver Nuggets before signing a one-year deal with Sacramento last season. He averaged 15.2 points, 6.7 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals with the Kings but had remained unsigned as a free agent. In a recent appearance on CNN to discuss his philanthropic work, Westbrook -- who averaged 20.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game over his career -- was asked about the fact that he hadn't yet been signed. "I don't think about it, honestly," he said. "I love playing basketball, and if it happens, it works, and that's my plan."

Russell Westbrook retires after 18 NBA seasons with 209 career triple-doubles, the 2017 MVP award, nine All-Star nods and two scoring titles.

Russell Westbrook, the NBA’s career leader in triple-doubles and the 2017 MVP, announced Wednesday he’s retiring after 18 seasons during which he was selected to the league’s 75th anniversary team.

2017 MVP announces retirement after 18 seasonsWestbrook holds NBA record with 209 triple-doublesGuard spent first 11 seasons with Oklahoma CityRussell Westbrook, the NBA’s career leader in triple-doubles and the 2017 MVP, announced Wednesday he’s retiring after 18 seasons during which he was selected to the league’s 75th anniversary team.The two-time scoring champion shared his decision on social media in a post featuring a video narrated by actor Michael B Jordan in which the Westbrook stays silent. Continue reading...

Westbrook is 14th on the NBA's all-time scoring list (27,176 points) and fifth in all-time in assists (10,351)

The former MVP announced his retirement after 18 seasons, ending his career as the league's all-time leader in triple-doubles.

Westbrook, 37, is the league's all-time leader in triple-doubles with 209.

Russell Westbrook shared a video announcing his retirement from the NBA on Wednesday, wrapping up his career as the all-time leader in triple-doubles.

Russell Westbrook shared a video announcing his retirement from the NBA on Wednesday, wrapping up his career as the all-time leader in triple-doubles.

Russell Westbrook shared a video announcing his retirement from the NBA on Wednesday, wrapping up his career as the all-time leader in triple-doubles.