SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Russell Westbrook delivered the 204th triple-double of his career and became the NBA’s all-time leading rebounder among guards as the Sacramento Kings edged the Golden State Warriors 121-116 on Wednesday night.
The 18-year veteran, appearing in his eighth game with his seventh professional franchise, totaled 23 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists. His performance moved him to 8,734 career rebounds, surpassing Jason Kidd’s 8,725 for the most ever by a guard.
“Humbly speaking, I’m the best rebounding guard ever,” Westbrook said after learning of the milestone. “If the ball comes off the rim, I’m going to get it.”
Late-game heroics
With 4:31 remaining, Westbrook tipped his 14th rebound directly to Dennis Schroder for a three-pointer that put Sacramento ahead by eight. He grabbed two more boards in the closing minutes and stripped Warriors rookie Brandin Podziemski with 8.9 seconds left to seal the victory, unleashing a roar toward the Golden 1 Center crowd.
Short-handed showdown
Both teams were missing key pieces. Sacramento played without Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine and Keegan Murray, while Golden State was without Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green. The Kings improved to 3-5.
Westbrook signed a veteran-minimum deal with Sacramento late in training camp and opened the season near the back of the rotation, logging 19 and 17 minutes in the first two contests. His energy quickly vaulted him into the starting lineup, where he has played at least 27 minutes in six straight games—including 35 on Wednesday.
“We needed it bad,” guard Malik Monk said. “With him in the starting unit, it brings more oomph, more energy.”
Fresh start in Sacramento
Earlier this week in Denver, Westbrook said the Nuggets—his previous team—told him they did not plan to re-sign him after last season’s playoffs. He declined his player option and waited through the summer before landing in Sacramento. The former MVP turns 37 in seven days, a point not lost on Monk: “It’s crazy how he that old and still doing this.”
Source: ESPN
