Inside The Nuggets

Russell Westbrook's Wife Sends Strong Message After ESPN Report

Nina Westbrook spoke out against an ESPN report on the Denver Nuggets point guard.

Joey Linn

Apr 11, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Ball Arena.
Apr 11, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Ball Arena. / Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
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Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook has put together a strong 2025 NBA postseason. Despite struggling in Game 4 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Westbrook is averaging 13.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists in these playoffs, and has been one of the league’s best individual defenders.

With the Western Conference Semifinals tied 2-2, and the Nuggets preparing for Game 5 in OKC, an ESPN article on Westbrook was published Tuesday morning. Among other things, the article cited an anonymous Nuggets player who reportedly called Westbrook “immature” after he and Aaron Gordon had a “heated discussion” following Denver’s Game 2 loss to the LA Clippers.

Russell Westbrook and Aaron Gordon
Mar 17, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) and forward Aaron Gordon (32) at Chase Center. / Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

As this report made rounds on social media, Nina Westbrook, the wife of Russell Westbrook, shared a strong message on her Instagram story. In her post, she directly called out ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, who authored the piece.

“Dirty work Romona,” she began. “How could you share and spread so many lies randomly, for no reason, and with so much conviction. You're using his name for clickbait during the playoffs which is ridiculous. Trust me, I know the facts about literally everything. Normally I let you guys tell your silly lies in peace. Enough already. Stop with the lies.”

In addition to the report on Westbrook being called “immature” by an anonymous Nuggets player, this article questioned whether his game-winning assist to Gordon in Denver’s Game 1 victory over OKC was “an isolated incident or evidence of real change.”

Westbrook, who is eighth all-time in assists, was praised by Gordon for making that play.

“The right play is the open man,” Gordon said after the game (via NBA). “Russ makes the right play a lot of times.”

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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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