Inside The Nuggets

Russell Westbrook Made NBA History in Nuggets-Hawks

Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook moved up a historic list against the Atlanta Hawks.

Joey Linn

Dec 8, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) brings the ball up the court against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at State Farm Arena.
Dec 8, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) brings the ball up the court against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at State Farm Arena. / Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
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Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook received his fifth start of the season on Sunday night against the Atlanta Hawks. With Jamal Murray sidelined, Westbrook stepped into the starting lineup with another strong performance.

Finishing the game with nine points, 11 assists, two steals, and one block, Westbrook did some of everything for the Nuggets while attempting just six field goals (four makes). With the 141-111 win over Atlanta, the Nuggets improved to 4-1 when Westbrook starts. The only loss came on Saturday against the Washington Wizards when Westbrook finished with seven points, 12 assists, 10 rebounds, and four steals on 50 percent shooting.

Russell Westbrook
Dec 7, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) dunks the ball as Washington Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly (0) looks on in the second quarter at Capital One Arena. / Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

A future Hall of Fame point guard and one of the best ever at his position, Westbrook made NBA history in Sunday’s win over Atlanta. With his 411th career game tallying double-digit assists, Westbrook tied Mark Jackson for eighth all-time in that category (via Basketball Reference's StatHead).

Ninth all-time in assists, Westbrook is also 23rd all-time in scoring. Westbrook is joined by LeBron James and Oscar Robertson as the only three players in NBA history who are top-10 in assists in top-25 in scoring.

A two-time scoring champion and three-time assists leader, Westbrook has done both at a high level through his NBA career. The 36-year-old point guard continues to be a huge addition for the Nuggets who have needed him to fill an important role, especially when Murray is sidelined.

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Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn52@gmail.com Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis and reporting Experience: Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

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