Fans give Russell Westbrook a standing ovation after the tribute video

On Monday night, the Sacramento Kings traveled to Ball Arena in the face the Denver Nuggets. This marked it Russell WestbrookHis first visit to the Ball Arena as a Kings player, and it’s clear he remains a favorite among Nuggets fans despite only spending one year with the team. Westbrook returned to Denver and got a hero welcomewho received a standing ovation from fans in attendance after the Nuggets presented him with a video tribute prior to a 130-124 victory over the Kings.

The Nuggets may not have Westbrook back for the 2025-26 season, but he was incredibly important to the team in 2024-25. That Denver team was very depleted in terms of depth, and they needed Westbrook to fill multiple roles to try to make up for the lack of viable players in the rotation.

After collapsing with the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2024 NBA playoffs, Westbrook’s stock was at an all-time low. But Nikola Jokic reportedly wanted Westbrook on the roster, and any team lacking depth could use a lot of Westbrook’s minutes, as he guarantees a fast pace of play as well as tons of effort defensively and on the glass.

Of course, the volatility in Westbrook’s production can be very nerve-wracking for fans. But Nuggets fans will recognize how he was always ready to contribute, whether as a sixth man or starter, and had plenty of memorable moments with the team — including his defensive stop James Harden in Game 1 of the 2025 NBA playoffs against the Clippers.

The Nuggets may have decided to go in a different direction in terms of building the best possible roster around Jokic. But the league is always better whenever Westbrook is on the team, and that The Kings deserve credit for bringing him in although not exactly the best in that mix of rosters.

Russell Westbrook no longer fits the Nuggets roster

With the Nuggets rebuilding the team this past offseason, they no longer needed Westbrook’s do-it-all but shifty ways. Bruce Brown was brought back to be a safer and better fit in a Jokic-centric offense, and he’s a lesser-used player who opens up opportunities for others to create for Denver.

Still, Westbrook still has it, no one should doubt that. He had 26 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in the loss for the Kings, and this just shows that something has to change for Sacramento moving forward if they lose despite such a performance from the former MVP.