'Master of Triple-Doubles' Russell Westbrook Retires After 18 NBA Seasons

Russell Westbrook, who recorded the most triple-doubles in NBA history, has announced his retirement after 18 seasons.

Westbrook, who played for the Sacramento Kings during the 2025-2026 season, announced his retirement decision through a social media video narrated by actor Michael B. Jordan.

Selected fourth overall by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 2008 NBA Draft, Westbrook played across seven teams over 18 seasons, including the Oklahoma City Thunder, setting an all-time record of 209 triple-doubles.

In 2021, Westbrook recorded his 182nd career triple-double, breaking the previous record of 181 held by Oscar Robertson.

He also recorded 42 triple-doubles during the 2016-2017 season, setting the NBA record for the most in a single season.

At the time, Westbrook not only became the first player to average a triple-double over a season since Robertson in the 1961-1962 season, but he also achieved this feat three more times (in the 2017-2018, 2018-2019, and 2020-2021 seasons).

ESPN reported that ahead of the 2026-2027 season, Westbrook received recruitment offers from Sacramento and the Washington Wizards, but chose to retire.

His career averages stand at 20.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game.

Having spent 11 seasons with Oklahoma City, Westbrook teamed up with Kevin Durant and James Harden in 2012 to lead the team to the Western Conference championship, but missed out on a championship ring after losing to the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.