Russell Westbrook has decided to draw the curtains on his storied NBA career. After 18 seasons, the veteran point guard announced his retirement on Wednesday through an Instagram video narrated by actor Michael B. Jordan.
It didn’t take long for some of basketball’s biggest names to remind everyone just how much respect Westbrook commands around the league.
LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo Lead NBA Reactions to Russell Westbrook’s Retirement
Westbrook spent his final season with the Sacramento Kings, his seventh NBA stop after previous stints with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Denver Nuggets.
He turns 38 in November and heads into retirement as the league’s all-time leader in triple-doubles with 209. He is also a nine-time All-Star, a nine-time All-NBA selectee, and the 2016-17 league MVP.
Westbrook also won two scoring titles, led the league in assists three times, and still holds the single-season triple-double record with 42 during his MVP campaign with Oklahoma City.
There was real uncertainty over whether he’d even have a team heading into the 2026-27 season.
However, both the Kings and the Wizards reportedly offered him a role before he ultimately chose to walk away instead.
Rather than announcing the news himself, he let Jordan narrate as the montage moved through highlights from his career, closing with a short caption in Westbrook’s own words: “Sometimes you don’t even know when you’ve already watched the end. You had to be there. And now it’s over.”
Sometimes you don’t even know when you’ve already watched the end.
You had to be there. And now it’s over. pic.twitter.com/6YoOW8WyIV
— Russell Westbrook (@russwest44) August 12, 2026
LeBron James, Westbrook’s former Lakers teammate, was among the first to react under his Instagram post.
“HELLUVA CAREER BRODIE! HOF NEXT,” the Philadelphia 76ers superstar wrote.
LeBron James congratulates Russell Westbrook on his NBA retirement: pic.twitter.com/p50oUAbiOf
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) August 12, 2026
Another of Westbrook’s ex-teammates, Dwight Howard, called him a “Top 3 point guard ever.”
Top 3 point guard ever ! Congrats on a Great Career!
— Dwight Howard (@DwightHoward) August 12, 2026
Miami Heat superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo focused on the intensity that defined Westbrook throughout his career.
“Incredible career, brother. You made people around the world feel your presence and love for the game. There are not a lot of people who played harder than you,” Antetokounmpo emphasized.
Giannis Antetokounmpo on Russell Westbrook retiring:
“Incredible career, brother. You made people around the world feel your presence and love for the game. There are not a lot of people who played harder than you. 🫡💯”
Game recognizes game. pic.twitter.com/rwTYHl0Xmy
— The HEAT Realm (@WadexFlash) August 12, 2026
New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray went a step further, simply posting, “GREATEST POINT GUARD EVER!!!!!”
GREATEST POINT GUARD EVER!!!! 🖤 https://t.co/qZcUnpwz0m
— Dejounte Murray (@DejounteMurray) August 12, 2026
Others kept it shorter but just as heartfelt. Two-time All-Star guard Isaiah Thomas wrote, “RESPECT CUZ” alongside a goat emoji.
🐐 RESPECT CUZ! https://t.co/UDOlx3dYwM
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) August 12, 2026
Three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams added, “Well done Brodie… much love.”
Kendrick Perkins, who played alongside Westbrook in Oklahoma City, wrote a longer message thanking him for “everything that you brought to the game” and calling him a “Top 10 Greatest PG of All Time.”
Chris Bosh and DeMar DeRozan also chimed in with brief messages of praise, and even WNBA star Angel Reese joined in, commenting, “What A Career! LEGEND BROTHER!”
The flood of reactions speaks to the impact Westbrook had on the league.
Westbrook leaves the game fifth all-time in assists (10,351) and 14th all-time in scoring (27,176), and is widely expected to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer once he becomes eligible.
