One Quarter of the Season Done: Has Russell Westbrook Hurt the Nuggets?

In a thrilling regular-season matchup, the Denver Nuggets edged out the Sacramento Kings 130-129 on the road. This game had all the elements of a rollercoaster ride: Denver opened with a dominant 24-6 run and ended the first quarter up by 20 points, 41-21. However, the Kings roared back, steadily eroding the Nuggets’ lead over the next two quarters. By the end of the third, Sacramento held a 103-96 advantage.

With four minutes left in the game, Denver trailed by 10 points, 119-109. Defeat seemed imminent, but the reigning 2023 NBA champions flipped the switch in dramatic fashion, outscoring the Kings 21-10 in the final minutes. The last 90 seconds were particularly gripping, with seven lead changes before Jamal Murray hit a clutch mid-range jumper to seal the win. DeMar DeRozan missed a potential game-winner for Sacramento, and the Nuggets walked away victorious.

Denver’s Resilience and Star Performances

This game exemplified the Nuggets’ championship-caliber poise and their ability to close games under pressure. Denver’s core players delivered in various ways:

• Nikola Jokic: The two-time MVP recorded another triple-double with 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 13 assists, though his efficiency wasn’t at its best (8-of-19 shooting). Jokic had a hard-fought battle against Domantas Sabonis, who finished with 28 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists on 12-of-20 shooting.
• Jamal Murray: It was a classic Murray performance—struggles early but dominance late. Murray scored 15 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter, including the game-winning jumper. He shot 11-of-26 overall and added 6 assists.
• Aaron Gordon: Gordon was instrumental on both ends, scoring 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting, grabbing 7 rebounds, and hitting a key fourth-quarter three-pointer. Defensively, he limited DeMar DeRozan to just 4 points in five minutes of direct matchups.
• Michael Porter Jr.: Porter had a quieter game with 11 points and 10 rebounds, but trade rumors surrounding him might explain his reduced offensive role.

Russell Westbrook: The Unsung Hero

While the spotlight often shines on Denver’s stars, this game highlighted the critical contributions of Russell Westbrook. Starting in place of the injured Christian Braun, Westbrook logged 35 minutes and came tantalizingly close to a triple-double with 18 points, 9 rebounds, 10 assists, and 3 steals on 8-of-13 shooting.

Westbrook’s impact was most evident in the second and third quarters when the Nuggets’ offense struggled. During this stretch, he accounted for 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists, keeping the team afloat as Sacramento mounted its comeback. In the decisive fourth quarter, Westbrook played a supporting role, feeding Murray for a three-pointer, scoring on a cut to the basket, and assisting Jokic on a floater.

Defensively, Westbrook held his own against De’Aaron Fox, limiting the Kings’ star to 5 points on 1-of-4 shooting in their head-to-head matchups.

The Westbrook Debate: Asset or Liability?

Westbrook’s arrival in Denver was met with mixed reactions. Some doubted his ability to fit into the Nuggets’ system, while others believed he could provide a much-needed spark. A quarter of the season in, the evidence suggests that Westbrook has adapted his game to complement the team’s needs.

Through 24 games, Westbrook is averaging 11.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.7 steals in 25.2 minutes per game. While his shooting splits (40.4% FG, 32.6% 3P, 62.8% FT) remain below league averages, he has embraced a more restrained offensive role. Notably, Westbrook has not attempted a single three-pointer in clutch situations this season and has only taken five total shots in such moments.

Instead of forcing the issue offensively, Westbrook has leaned into his strengths as a playmaker and defender. His 35.5% assist rate ranks 12th in the league, and he has established himself as the Nuggets’ most reliable passer to Jokic. Before this game, Westbrook had delivered 294 passes and 53 assists to Jokic, both team-highs. To put that in perspective, Jamal Murray set the team’s single-season record last year with 151 assists to Jokic—a mark Westbrook is on pace to shatter.

On the defensive end, Westbrook has shed his reputation for ball-watching and lapses in focus. He now averages 7.1 shot contests per game, with opponents shooting 2.6% worse when guarded by him. His defensive box plus-minus (DBPM) of +0.8 ranks second on the team, behind only Jokic (+2.9).

A Role Reimagined

In his 17th NBA season, Westbrook has made a concerted effort to reinvent himself. Gone are the days of high-volume, low-efficiency scoring; in their place is a player who prioritizes defense, playmaking, and fitting into the team’s structure. While his efficiency issues persist, his willingness to adapt has made him a valuable contributor to Denver’s success.

What makes Westbrook’s transformation even more impressive is the context: he’s doing all this on a veteran’s minimum contract. For the Nuggets, signing a player who can contribute as a sixth man, occasional starter, and Jokic’s best complementary passer for the league minimum is a steal.

The Road Ahead

Denver’s hopes of defending their title hinge on several factors: Jokic maintaining his MVP-level form, Murray regaining his consistency, and Gordon and Porter living up to their contracts. But if Westbrook continues to embrace his role and elevate his teammates, he could play a pivotal part in the Nuggets’ quest for another championship.

After all, what better way to silence the critics than by lifting the Larry O’Brien Trophy with a team-first approach?