Skip to main content

Villanueva on Russell Westbrook pre-game dance: ‘Go to a nightclub’

Mavericks forward Charlie Villanueva took exception to Russell Westbrook’s pre-game dance routine, and sent a message to the Thunder guard after the game.
  • Author:
  • Publish date:

Get breaking news and SI’s biggest stories instantly. Download the new Sports Illustrated app (iOS or Android) and personalize your experience by following your favorite teams and SI writers.

Mavericks forward Charlie Villanueva took exception to Russell Westbrook’s pre-game dance routine, and sent a message to the Thunder guard after Monday’s game.

“If you want to go dancing and stuff like that, go to a nightclub,” Villanueva said on a Fox Pro Cast video. “Go to a club and dance. Go to Dancing With the Stars and be a dancer. You want to battle and dance? We can battle. But not in a basketball game. Plus, they were in my way, too, so I wasn’t necessarily interrupting their dance.”

Watch: Mavericks try interrupting Russell Westbrook’s pregame dance

Villanueva and Justin Anderson walked between Westbrook and Thunder rookie Cameron Payne as they were performing a dance routine similar to those they have been doing all season.

After the Round 1 playoff game, which the Mavericks won to even the series, Westbrook called out Villanueva, saying his antics are “for the guys that don’t play.”

MAHONEY: J.J. Barea's injury strips Mavericks of major driving force

The Mavericks and Thunder will play Game 3 of the series on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET.

- Erin Flynn