Did Russell Westbrook call out Shai Gilgeous-Alexander during the game?

Sacramento Kings a veteran Russell Westbrook was in full attack mode against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his former team, Oklahoma City Thunder. The The Kings faced the Thunder without Domantas Sabonis. Westbrook, looking at King’s loss on the road to Oklahoma City earlier this season, had words for Thunder All Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander before picking up his second straight foul.

Between two fouls, Westbrook screamed that Gilgeous-Alexander cannot defend before drawing a second foul, and nodded to himself before screaming the same line about SGA’s defense.

“He can’t keep!” Wesbrook shouted. “He can’t guard.”

Russell Westbrook after drawing back-to-back fouls against Shai Gilgee-Alexander: “He can’t guard! He can’t guard!”

With replays pic.twitter.com/klkEaVkS3K

— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) November 8, 2025

Westbrook finished with a team-high 24 points on 9-of-17 shooting, including 5-for-9 from deep, nine assists and six rebounds. He also coughed up seven turnovers on one end of the floor. At the same time, the Kings defense struggled at the other end, trying to slow down Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein in the midst of a career night, leading Oklahoma City with 33 points and 19 rebounds.

Gilgeous-Alexander recorded his ninth 30+ point performance of the season, finishing with 30 points, three assists and two steals before watching his team complete its ninth win in ten attempts off the bench during the fourth quarter. While Westbrook’s efficient offense has been one of the more positive stories of the Kings’ 2025-26 campaign, his seven turnovers against the Thunder set a new season record.

Starting five of the Kings’ first nine regular season games, Westbrook is averaging 16.0 points on 47.7% shooting, including 45.7% from deep, 7.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Russell spent the first 11 seasons of his NBA career with the Thunder, including Westbrook’s first — and only — NBA Finals appearance in 2012.

Doug Christie on the narrative surrounding the Kings’ Russell Westbrook

Kings head coach Doug Christie hugged Russell Westbrook before the season began, reminding reporters that he doesn’t want the veteran guard to change anything in his game ahead of his tenure with the Kings. Christie, entering his first full season as a head coach after the Kings fired Mike Brown midseason last year, discussed his expectations for a veteran of 18 years.

“I just want Russ to be Russ,” Christie said, per Brenden Nunes of Sac Town Sports.

He doesn’t buy into the negative narrative surrounding Westbrook’s reputation.

“You see the media and all these different things about Russ and, to me, none of it is true,” Christie added. “He’s giving you everything he’s got, and that’s what you want.”

The Kings will host the Timberwolves on Sunday.