Watch Russell Westbrook get all the love from Thunder fans in return to OKC as a king

Russell Westbrook there is returned to Oklahoma City many times since then leaving Thunderbut this night was different. The Sacramento Kings they keep not only received a warm ovation from the crowd that once chanted his name, but he also put on a vintage performance that reminded fans why he remains one of the fiercest competitors in basketball.

For the first time of the season for Sacramento, Westbrook came out firing, knocking down three early 3-pointers en route to nine of the Kings’ first 16 points. He finished with 16 points, nine rebounds and four assists on 6-for-16 shooting, including 4-for-8 from beyond the arc. The normally slashing guard looked confident from distance, a surprising sight for a player who has built his career on attacking the rim rather than spacing the floor.

The night also held special significance for Westbrook outside of the scoring box. In the second quarter, he recorded a steal against his former team to pass Derek Harper for 15th on the NBA’s all-time steals list, according to Basketball Reference. The achievement was fitting, as it came in the same arena where he won league MVP in 2017 and cemented his legacy as one of the Thunder’s greatest players.

Russell Westbrook’s energy tried to help carry the Kings

Westbrook’s energy carried throughout the game, both as a defensive disruptor and an emotional leader. “There was a little bit of a feeling going into this building that instills a level of confidence in Russell Westbrook,” Kings broadcaster Kate Christensen said during the telecast.

Despite Westbrook’s spark, the Kings couldn’t hold off the defending champion Thunder. Oklahoma City gave up another big performance late from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who poured in 31 points, nine rebounds and four assists as he closed out the game with a step-back 3-pointer in the final seconds to seal a 107-101 victory.

For Westbrook, the loss did little to diminish the significance of the moment. The 36-year-old continues to climb the league’s all-time charts and evolve in his new role with Sacramento. As the Kings look to find their footing early in the season, their veteran point guard proved once again that his drive and intensity are still as strong as ever, especially under the lights of the house he once called home.