NBA news: Russell Westbrook's triple-double record holder hints at retirement

NBA veteran Russell Westbrook, renowned for his record-breaking 109 triple-doubles, has signaled his departure from professional basketball. The 37-year-old point guard shared a video on social media that strongly suggests his retirement from the sport.

The three-and-a-half-minute video, narrated by actor Michael B. Jordan, showcases pivotal moments from Westbrook's 18-year career. While Westbrook himself remains silent in the video, his accompanying post on X (formerly Twitter) conveyed a poignant message: "Sometimes you don't even know when you've already seen the end. You had to be there. And now it's over."

Westbrook's last NBA season was with the Sacramento Kings, where he averaged 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 6.7 assists. Once celebrated for his explosive athleticism, Westbrook's game evolved over his career, though adapting to the league's increasing emphasis on three-point shooting proved challenging in his later years.

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Sometimes you don't even know when you've already seen the end. You had to be there. And now it's over.

Drafted fourth overall in 2008, Westbrook led the league in scoring in the 2014-15 and 2016-17 seasons. With the Oklahoma City Thunder, he reached the NBA Finals in 2012 alongside Kevin Durant. In 2017, he was named MVP after breaking Oscar Robertson's single-season triple-double record, finishing with 42 such games. By 2021, he surpassed Robertson again to become the all-time leader in career triple-doubles.

Following his departure from Oklahoma City, Westbrook had stints with the Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers, and Denver Nuggets before signing a veteran minimum contract with the Kings for one year. Fellow All-Star guard Trae Young paid tribute on X, calling Westbrook "an absolute legend! What an incredible career!"

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An absolute legend! What an incredible career!