Sacramento Kings guard Russell Westbrook. Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

Kings' Russell Westbrook reaches major career milestone

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Feb 9, 2026 10:49 PM ET

Now in the midst of his 18th NBA season with the Sacramento Kings, Russell Westbrook tends to make history with every basket. He reached a major milestone on Monday night.

Westbrook, 37, reached 27,000 career points in the middle of the Kings' 120-94 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. Despite his play not being enough to impact winning this season, Westbrook has moved up the NBA's all-time scoring list.

Russell Westbrook is among elite company

As he sits in 14th place ahead of Hakeem Olajuwon and right behind Elvin Hayes, Westbrook has entered a territory only 13 other players have ever achieved in the history of the league.

Westbrook scored 17 points in 21 minutes while connecting on 7-of-18 shots from the field against the Pelicans. He also picked up a pair of rebounds and assists in the game. Westbrook is now averaging 15.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game this season.

Congrats to @russwest44 of the @SacramentoKings for becoming the 14th player in NBA history to reach 27,000 points! pic.twitter.com/rXadDp47C4
— NBA (@NBA) February 10, 2026

Since it took him until late in the offseason to find a team for this season, there's no telling how much longer Westbrook will be able to continue playing. But if he does hang around for one more year, Westbrook will likely move further up the scoring ladder and get himself into the top 12. Hayes is in 13th with 27,313 points, and then Moses Malone is at No. 12 with 27,409.

RUSS pic.twitter.com/Nye93ymwgD
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) February 10, 2026

Westbrook's legacy is secure

No matter when and where his career ends, Westbrook is a lock to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame when he's first eligible.

Named the 2017 NBA MVP, Westbrook is a nine-time All-Star, twice winning the All-Star Game MVP, a two-time scoring champion and a member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

As big a part of his legacy as anything, Westbrook became the first player since Oscar Robertson last did it in 1961-62 to average a triple-double in a season in 2016-17. Westbrook then duplicated that feat in three more separate seasons.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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