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Russell Westbrook airballs wide-open dunk

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Renzo Pocholo Salao | Last updated Jan 24, 2026 12:53 AM ET

Russell Westbrook has clearly lost a step since his early days with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Westbrook, who now plays for the Sacramento Kings , resembled a demigod dealing with the sudden loss of his powers Friday in his team’s matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The former league MVP got a pass in the left corner and completely faked out Cavs big man Larry Nance Jr., clearing the runway for Russ to take off.

Westbrook took off outside the restricted area and cocked back in what looked like one of his signature tomahawk jams. Instead, Westbrook fell well short of the rim and lost possession at the apex of his jump.

Westbrook airballed a dunk pic.twitter.com/3Qvi5Bqm6m
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) January 24, 2026

Fortunately for the Kings, the ball landed in the hands of Domantas Sabonis. The All-Star big man got fouled on his putback attempt and sank both free throws, giving Sacramento the two points they were hoping for from Westbrook’s dunk.

Russ is just a few years away from turning 40. The fact that folks still expect him to rock the rim on such plays is a testament to how much of his athletic ability has stayed with him into his late thirties.

Friday’s contest was not one of Westbrook’s better outings in his first season with the Kings. He went 3/12 from the field for 11 points in what turned into a 123-118 loss to the Cavaliers.

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

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