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Russell Westbrook’s Humble Reaction to Joining NBA’s 25,000-Point Club Was All Class

The Los Angeles Clippers star offered a heartfelt reaction upon joining an elite basketball fraternity.

Tim Capurso

Russell Westbrook’s Humble Reaction to Joining NBA’s 25,000-Point Club Was All Class
Russell Westbrook’s Humble Reaction to Joining NBA’s 25,000-Point Club Was All Class /
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Russell Westbrook etched his name into the NBA’s record books once again during the Los Angeles Clippers’ 136—124 win over the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on Friday night. 

Westbrook, who scored 23 points to help the Clippers earn a comeback victory on the road, became the 25th player in league history to score 25,000 career points, achieving the feat on a layup during the fourth quarter. He and James Harden became the first teammates to reach the 25,000-point mark in the same season.

After the game, Westbrook was asked what the achievement says about the career he’s enjoyed. He responded humbly with a heartfelt reaction.

“It’s a blessing man. I don’t take any day, any night for granted. Grateful to be able to play the game of basketball and to be able to use my platform and be able to share, impact and inspire other people, and I’m super grateful to be able to continue playing,” Westbrook said. 

Westbrook then expressed gratitude for the love and support he received from teammates, who subsequently surprised him in the postgame locker room in an amusing moment. 

In addition to joining the 25,000-point club, Westbrook became just the second player in NBA history, along with LeBron James, to amass 25,000 points, 9,000 assists and 8,000 rebounds.

Westbrook is averaging 11.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 47 games for the Clippers this season.

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Tim Capurso
TIM CAPURSO

Tim Capurso is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. Prior to joining SI in November 2023, he wrote for RotoBaller and ClutchPoints, where he was the lead editor for MLB, college football and NFL coverage. A lifelong Yankees and Giants fan, Capurso grew up just outside New York City and now lives near Philadelphia. When he's not writing, he enjoys reading, exercising and spending time with his family, including his three-legged cat Willow, who, unfortunately, is an Eagles fan.

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