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Russell Westbrook announces NBA retirement after 18 seasons

2 articles
2 sources
0% diversity
Updated 13.8.2026
Key Topics & People
Russell Westbrook *National Basketball Association Seattle SuperSonics Sacramento Kings Oklahoma City

Coverage Framing

2
Human Interest(2)
Avg Factuality:90%
Avg Sensationalism:Low

Story Timeline

Aug 13 Evening

1 articles|1 sources
russell westbrooknba retirementtriple-doublemost valuable playernba career
Human Interest(1)
Al JazeeraAug 13

Russell Westbrook announces NBA retirement after 18 seasons

Russell Westbrook, a former NBA MVP and the league's all-time leader in triple-doubles, has announced his retirement after 18 seasons. He shared his decision via social media in a three-and-a-half-minute video. Throughout his career, Westbrook recorded 209 triple-doubles, including a record 42 in his 2016-17 MVP season. He also ranks fifth in career assists and 14th in scoring. Westbrook was a nine-time All-Star, a two-time All-Star Game MVP, and a 2012 Olympic gold medalist. He played for seven franchises, averaging 20.9 points, 8.0 assists, and 6.9 rebounds over 1,301 regular-season games.

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Key Claims

factual

Russell Westbrook announced his retirement from the NBA after 18 seasons.

— Russell Westbrook

statistic

Westbrook holds the record for the most career triple-doubles in NBA history with 209.

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He was the NBA MVP in the 2016-17 season, averaging a triple-double.

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Westbrook is fifth all-time in career assists (10,351) and 14th in scoring (27,176).

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He averaged 20.9 points, 8.0 assists, and 6.9 rebounds in 1,301 regular-season games.

Aug 12 Evening

1 articles|1 sources
russell westbrooknbaretirementtriple-doublesmvp
Human Interest(1)
Associated Press (AP)Aug 12

Russell Westbrook retires from the NBA with a farewell video narrated by Michael B. Jordan

Russell Westbrook, the NBA's all-time leader in triple-doubles and the 2017 MVP, has announced his retirement after 18 seasons. The announcement was made on social media via a video narrated by Michael B. Jordan. Westbrook, a two-time scoring champion and two-time All-Star Game MVP, played his final season with the Sacramento Kings. He leaves the league with 209 career triple-doubles, a record he set in the 2016-17 season with 42. Westbrook also won an Olympic gold medal in 2012 and was selected to the league's 75th anniversary team. His career included stints with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, and Los Angeles Clippers.

MeasuredFactual1 source
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Key Claims

factual

Russell Westbrook, NBA's career leader in triple-doubles and 2017 MVP, announced his retirement after 18 seasons.

factual

Westbrook shared his retirement decision on social media via a video narrated by actor Michael B. Jordan.

statistic

Westbrook leaves the NBA with 209 career triple-doubles, holding the record for most in a season (42 in 2016-17).

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He was the No. 4 pick in the 2008 NBA draft and played for multiple teams including the Thunder, Kings, Rockets, Wizards, Lakers, Clippers, and Nuggets.

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Westbrook was selected to the NBA's 75th anniversary team and won an Olympic gold medal in 2012.