The Denver Nuggets secured a thrilling 130-124 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Monday night, with Nikola Jokic leading the charge. In an impressive performance, Jokic tallied 34 points, 14 assists, seven rebounds, four steals, and two blocks within 34 minutes of playing time.
Despite trailing by nine points at the half, the Kings made a late push to narrow the gap. However, critical turnovers and missed scoring opportunities hindered their comeback, as they managed to score only nine points in the last five minutes of the contest.
The postgame focus shifted to Russell Westbrook, who returned to Ball Arena for the first time since his tenure with the Nuggets during the 2024-25 season. Westbrook candidly reflected on his time in Denver, stating, “I thought it was great… the truth is, they didn’t want me back. It ain’t up to me. Sorry ya’ll. God has a plan, be patient.” His remarks underscored his acceptance of the team’s decision while expressing the hope of new opportunities ahead.
Westbrook showed he still has much to contribute on the court, leading the Kings with 26 points, shooting 10 of 17 from the field, alongside 12 rebounds, six assists, and two steals over 37 minutes. Just two nights prior, he had an impressive double-double against the Milwaukee Bucks with 12 points and 10 assists.
Throughout the first seven games of the season, Westbrook is averaging 13.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.4 steals in approximately 27.6 minutes per game, reminiscent of his contributions while with the Nuggets.
With an illustrious career that includes a 2016-17 MVP award, nine All-Star selections, and a record-breaking 203 career triple-doubles, Westbrook brings a wealth of experience to Sacramento following a brief stint with Denver where he played 75 games and became a key player. He opted out of his player option in June, entering free agency before ultimately signing a one-year deal with the Kings.
Looking ahead, Sacramento is set to embark on an exciting stretch, featuring five consecutive home games beginning Wednesday against the Warriors, followed by matchups against the Thunder and Timberwolves, a rematch with the Nuggets, and a game against the Hawks on November 12. This slate of games provides Westbrook and the Kings with ample opportunity to continue building momentum and establishing their identity as a competitive team.