Russell Westbrook has another place in the NBA record books.
The former MVP reached 26,711 career points Friday, passing Oscar Robertson to become the all-time leader among NBA point guards. Robertson was previously the top scorer at the position with 26,710 points.
Advertisement
Westbrook finished the game with 17 points on 6-of-12 shooting, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 turnovers in the Sacramento Kings’ 129-102 loss to the Phoenix Suns.
Westbrook was already the NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles and rebounds among guards. He is seventh in all-time assists and is on track to overtake Mark Jackson and Steve Nash for fifth place by the end of the season.
Of course, with the scoring record, the leader’s distinction is not official. There are now 14 players ahead of Westbrook on the NBA’s all-time leading scorers list and only three of them are guards: Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, James Harden. Jordan and Bryant are both quintessential shooters, while Harden has spent his career in more of a combo role.
Russell Westbrook occupies a unique place in NBA history. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Thearon W. Henderson via Getty Images)
Westbrook spent his post-Oklahoma City Thunder career as a journeyman, joining the Kings this season on a one-year, $3.6 million contract (i.e. the veteran minimum). He has consistently averaged double-digit points in every season of his career and currently ranks fourth on the Kings with 14.4 points per game, his highest production since the 2022-23 season.
Advertisement
He also entered Friday shooting 42.3 percent from the field, his worst mark since 2010, but that’s partially offset by a career-best 35.3 percent from 3-point range.
It was a tough night if you hate seeing Oscar Robertson’s less heralded records go down, like Giannis Antetokounmpo surpassed him to become all-time games leader 30-10-5. What a time to be alive.
