Denver Nuggets Announce Russell Westbrook News on Tuesday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | Last updated May 27, 2025 8:07 PM ET

Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook was brilliant this past season, averaging 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game in 75 appearances.

Given that the 36-year-old is years beyond his physical prime, the all-time guard is continuing to make a winning impact in the NBA.

As a former MVP winner, Russell Westbrook has since altered his game and impact to adjust to the latter stages of his career, as he no longer has his elite athleticism and pop that he did when he was younger.

The ferocious energy? That hasn't changed. And it won't be going anywhere as long as he's in the league.

Westbrook has been written off as a "losing" player for years now -- even having been dubbed a "locker room cancer" -- though that narrative was changed this season with his play alongside Nikola Jokic despite.

Despite constant pushback on the narrative from those close to him (players, teammates, coaches, etc.), the public narrative remains nasty towards the former MVP winner.

Westbrook will never not give 100% of his effort, though, and he even played through two broken hand injuries this season.

The Nuggets announced on Tuesday that Westbrook had gone through surgery on his right hand -- his shooting hand -- which he had played through in the latter stages of the season.

"Russell Westbrook has undergone surgery on his right hand to repair multiple ligament tears. He is expected to resume full off-season training this summer," the club announced on X.

Injury Update:

Russell Westbrook has undergone surgery on his right hand to repair multiple ligament tears. He is expected to resume full off-season training this summer. pic.twitter.com/fx9ZhSzZxG
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) May 27, 2025

Westbrook made the same announcement this morning in his "Word of Westbrook" newsletter.

This further goes to show Westbrook's commitment to the sport of basketball on top of his high-level character, putting the team above himself and playing through a brutal injury to be there for his squad.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: