Superstar guard Russell Westbrook made his debut for the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night and immediately did what he does best: getting triple-doubles.
Westbrook needed only three quarters to record his 147th career triple-double in the game against the Philadelphia 76ers, recording 13 points, 14 assists, and 10 rebounds before the final period. He finished the game with a stat line of 21 points, 15 assists, and 11 rebounds, but that still wasn’t enough for the Wizards to get a win.
Despite having a 10-point-lead entering the fourth, Wizards couldn’t hold onto it down the stretch and ended up starting the 2020-21 NBA season with a 113-107 loss.
Speaking with reporters after the game, Westbrook was self-critical and said that he was “kind of disappointed” with the way he played.
“Not good enough,” said Westbrook when asked to rate his performance. “Honestly, I am kind of disappointed in myself, just some mishaps and plays where I could have been better.”
But Westbrook did manage to impress his teammates, with his backcourt partner and fellow All-Star Bradley Beal saying that he loved the intensity that the 2017 NBA MVP brought to the team.
“Granted, it’s only one game, but I just love his energy, his competitiveness, and his accountability at the end of the day,” said Beal.
Westbrook joined the Washington Wizards earlier in the offseason after demanding a trade from the Houston Rockets. Reportedly, Westbrook felt that the Rockets are too “laid-back” and that he couldn’t play his game there.
Wizards gave up four-time All-Star point guard John Wall and a protected first-round pick to get Westbrook.
