Russell Westbrook Reflects on Battling OKC Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder are welcoming in the Denver Nuggets to the Paycom Center on Monday in a Round 2 matchup that features the return of Franchise icon Russell Westbrook. The former Thunder star issued his thoughts on the matchup.

Mar 9, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins (21) during the second quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

The waiting is over and it is time to get back to basketball in Bricktown.

On Saturday night, the Oklahoma City Thunder found out its Round 2 matchup after the Denver Nuggets throttled the LA Clippers in Game 7 of their first-round series.

The Thunder have been on ice for over a week as they await the start of Round 2 on Monday inside the Paycom Center. Though its matchup is a familiar foe in more ways than one.

Not only are the Nuggets a divisional rival, with each side playing each other four times this season, but the Denver roster includes Thunder franchise icon Russell Westbrook.

This is the second time Westbrook will face off with the Thunder in the NBA Playoffs, though the previous meeting was in Disney World in front of fans appearing via video call rather than the lively Paycom Center crowd.

Westbrook hasn't played in front of a rowdy Paycom Center crowd in the opposite team's jersey and has never soaked up anything but sentiment and applause each time he has checked into each contest –– multiple times a game! –– but Monday night has a different feeling.

Both sides ended their respective seasons in the second round a year ago, both believe they can reach the NBA Finals. The Thunder are the heavy favorites to make it out of the West with plenty of expectations and external pressure placed on them.

Things change.

No one can predict how the fanatics decked out in a unified wardrobe will receive the most meaningful player in franchise history, who will play a pivotal role in the Nuggets' hopes of beating the Thunder.

Westbrook was asked about this homecoming following Game 7, and he put it best, perhaps issuing the blueprint for the Thunder faithful.

“I don’t know. That’s a first. That’s like home for me. I always got love for everybody there... the people, the fans. I know it’s mutual, but they also know the reason why they do love me... because I compete at a high level, and I’m going to do that every night.. that’s all I can do is go out, be myself & compete. You know, try to go & steal one there," Westbrook Said after Saturday's Game 7 win.

The Paycom Center will always open Westbrook with arms wide open –– they'd even serenade him with Creed's hit if he asked –– but the playoffs have to feel different.

Westbrook isn't marching into Bricktown in search of flowers, he is seeking to dominate the team in Blue and Orange, that is what makes Russ, Russ.

Thunder fans should expect nothing less and treat him with no exception. Perhaps the right move is a tip of the cap in Game 1 when the future Hall of Famer sprints onto the court. But after that, Westbrook will aim to play the villainous role.