The Los Angeles Lakers are having an underwhelming season, but the 2022/23 NBA campaign is turning out to be historical for some of its players. The Lakers superstar LeBron James is expected to break the all-time scoring record in the coming weeks, while veteran point guard Russell Westbrook just entered the top 10 of the NBA’s all-time assists list.
Westbrook had 10 assists in a 104-121 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night, which brought his career assists tally to 8,972. This allowed him to jump from No. 11 to No. 10, surpassing Seattle Supersonic’s legend Gary Payton (8,966).
“In the NBA, never dreamt of being in this position, nor getting to the point to where I’m next to some of the greats,” said Westbrook after the game. “I’m just truly grateful and thankful for an opportunity to keep playing at the highest level, and I don’t take any of that for granted.”
Westbrook’s rise on the all-time assists list shouldn’t stop at no. 10. He needs 90 assists to surpass the Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas at No. 9 and could realistically get to the top 5 before he wraps up his storied career.
Russell Westbrook has been having a solid year in 2022/23, coming off the bench for the Lakers for the first time in his career. He is averaging 15.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 7.5 assists.
