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Russell Westbrook Announces NBA Retirement After 18 Seasons
Just the facts
Russell Westbrook announced his retirement from the NBA after playing 1,301 regular-season games across 18 seasons with seven franchises, including 11 seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Westbrook recorded 209 career triple-doubles, holding the all-time NBA record, and averaged a triple-double during his 2016–17 MVP season when he scored a career-high 31.6 points per game. He ranks fifth all-time in career assists with 10,351 and 14th in scoring with 27,176 points while making nine All-Star appearances and winning an Olympic gold medal with Team USA in 2012. Westbrook spent his final season playing 64 games for the Sacramento Kings before releasing a video announcing his departure on his own terms.
Why this is news
Nine-time NBA All-Star and former League Most Valuable Player Russell Westbrook announced his retirement from professional basketball on August 12, 2026, following an 18-season career.
Sources
This summary is compiled strictly from the original reporting below.