Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook made history on Friday night, passing Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson to move into eighth place on the N.B.A.’s all-time assists list, MySportDab Reports.
Westbrook came into the night with 2 assists away from Robertson’s mark of 9,887 career assists and did so at home for Denver against the Utah Jazz.
The next person on the list that Westbrook is set to pass is Los Angeles Lakers icon Magic Johnson, who has 10,141 assists. With fewer than 300 assists between them, Westbrook has a solid shot at moving up another slot before he hangs up his sneakers.
Now in his first season with the Nuggets, the 35-year-old has remained a solid contributor despite being past his prime. Westbrook was averaging 13.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.4 steals a game and shooting 45.2% from the field and 33.5% from three-point range in 67 games entering Friday’s game.
Russell Westbrook also etched his name in the history books once again on Friday night, surpassing the late Kobe Bryant on the NBA’s all-time steals list during Denver’s game against the Utah Jazz.
Westbrook recorded his 1,945th career steal, moving past Bryant’s mark of 1,944 to claim 16th place in league history. The milestone further cements Westbrook’s legacy as one of the most dynamic two-way guards in NBA history, showcasing his defensive instincts alongside his well-documented playmaking ability.
This will make for a ninth NBA All-Star Award for Westbrook, who has had a storied career to date playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, and LA Clippers. Over 17 seasons, his career averages are 21.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 1.6 steals per game.
The Nuggets, meanwhile, came into their game against Utah on Friday with a 46-28 record and in third place in the Western Conference standings. After the Jazz, the Nuggets will stay home to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves Tuesday night.
Westbrook’s latest milestone is just one notch in a Hall of Fame résumé, and even with the veteran still giving and producing a high level, he is well positioned to make a large impact on the N.B.A. record books.
