SI

Thunder Fans Gave Russell Westbrook a Loud Standing Ovation During Game 1

Oklahoma City still loves Westbrook even years after he left.

Madison Williams

Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook stands on the court during a playoff game vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook stands on the court during a playoff game vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder. / Zach Beeker/NBAE
In this story:

It's not often when a home team's fans give a standing ovation to a player on the opposing team, especially during the NBA playoffs. But, when that home team is the Oklahoma City Thunder and that player is Russell Westbrook, there's an exception.

Westbrook spent the first 11 years of his NBA career with the Thunder after being selected fourth overall by them in the 2008 draft. While he wasn't able to bring a NBA title to Oklahoma City, Thunder fans are forever indebted to Westbrook for making the team fun and exciting to watch.

So, when Westbrook checked into Monday night's Game 1 in the conference semifinals series between the Thunder and his Denver Nuggets, Paycom Center gave their former player a loud standing ovation. It was definitely a rare sight in the NBA.

When asked about how loud the Paycom Center was on Monday night, Westbrook responded with some subtle shade about his former fanbase.

"It was loud tonight but it was louder when we was here," Westbrook said while winking.

Westbrook was very appreciate of the Thunder fans after the game, though.

"Like I've always said, I'm truly grateful and indebted to the fans here. They gave me a chance. They believed in me when I was a little, young teenager," Westbrook said in his post-game press conference. "But the reason why they love me is my competitive nature, competitive spirit. I'm gonna do that for my team. Love is always there."

The Thunder fans probably felt conflicted about Westbrook and the Nuggets by the end of the game as Denver came back and won 121-119 thanks to a last second three-pointer made by Aaron Gordon. It was shocking, and left Thunder fans speechless.

More NBA on Sports Illustrated

feed

Published
Madison Williams
MADISON WILLIAMS

Madison Williams is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated, where she specializes in tennis but covers a wide range of sports from a national perspective. Before joining SI in 2022, Williams worked at The Sporting News. Having graduated from Augustana College, she completed a master’s in sports media at Northwestern University. She is a dog mom and an avid reader.

Home/NBA