Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

NBA Announces Historic Russell Westbrook News on Tuesday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Ishaan Bhattacharya | Last updated Mar 17, 2026 10:51 PM ET

Russell Westbrook is in the middle of his 18th season in the NBA, plying his trade with the Sacramento Kings this year. While it's been a terrible year for the Kings, Westbrook has emerged as a locker room leader and influential figure on the court.

Westbrook is averaging 5.4 points, 6.6 assists, and 5.5 rebounds in 62 games this season, showing he still has a lot to offer NBA teams who might be interested in a veteran like him. He's passionately defended his teammates from media criticism, and he's been a consummate professional. He's also made NBA history this season with the Kings.

The NBA announced that Westbrook has officially crossed legendary point guards Mark Jackson (10,334) and Steve Nash (10,335) on the all-time assists list with his first three dimes of their game against the San Antonio Spurs tonight.

Westbrook has gone from seventh to entering the top five in all-time assists with a total of 10,335, as of his third assist tonight.

RUSS PASSES STEVE NASH

With this assist, Russell Westbrook passes Steve Nash for 5th on the all-time ASSISTS list! pic.twitter.com/CWL6UyvG0T
— NBA (@NBA) March 18, 2026

Westbrook still trails Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (11,909), Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd (12,091), the recently retired Chris Paul (12,552), and the all-time leader John Stockton (15,806).

The all-time triple-double leader is cementing his legacy as one of the greatest point guards the NBA has ever seen. Even with the criticism that's followed him to multiple spots in his career, there's no denying that the former MVP is one of the best and most influential players of the modern era.

Kings guard Russell Westbrook holds the NBA record for most triple-doubles. Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images

Westbrook has had a long career of racking up these assists, starting with 6,897 over an 11-year tenure with the OKC Thunder. His one-season stint with the Houston Rockets added 401 to his career total before his time with the Washington Wizards added 763 more.

His next three seasons were split between 1.5 and 1.5 on the Lakers (941) and Clippers (466). His season with the Denver Nuggets last year added 457 to his career total, while he's dished out 408 assists so far this season with the Kings.

Westbrook will continue building on these numbers and try to climb higher before his career is over. Given the pace at which he's continued racking up assists, he might need at least three more seasons before he can surpass Kidd. It's hard to say if he can surpass LeBron since he's still active, but Paul and Stockton's totals look decidedly out of reach.

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

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