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Russell Westbrook Tells the Truth on Why He Left Nuggets

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Nov 4, 2025 7:31 AM ET

Key Points:

Russell Westbrook scored 26 points in his best game for the Sacramento Kings.
Sacramento lost 130-124 to the Denver Nuggets, despite Westbrook’s strong performance and Jokic's dominance.
Westbrook reveals what the Nuggets told him before he left.

Russell Westbrook grabbed headlines on Monday night as he led the Sacramento Kings against his former team, the Denver Nuggets. The nine-time All-Star had easily his best game in a Kings uniform, scoring a season-high 26 points on 10-of-17 shooting, to go along with 12 rebounds, six assists, two steals and three triples in 37 minutes of action.

Westbrook turned back the clock on Monday as he showed the Nuggets exactly what they’re missing following their offseason divorce. The former NBA MVP’s strong performance, however, still wasn’t enough, as the Kings suffered a 130-124 home loss.

Sacramento Kings guard Russell Westbrook (18) during an NBA game. © Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

Nikola Jokic led the way for Denver on Monday night. The seven-time All-NBA big man dropped a 34-point, 14-assist double-double with seven rebounds, four steals, two blocks and four triples.

The Kings had no answer for the three-time MVP, and it resulted in Sacramento’s fifth loss in seven games played so far this season.

Westbrook spoke to the press after the game to discuss his big-time performance. The 36-year-old also made a revelation about his conversation with the Nuggets front office before he left Denver in the summer.

"The truth is that they didn't want me back,” Westbrook said, via Nuggets reporter Bennet Durando of The Denver Post. “It ain't up to me. God always has a plan. Be patient. Not up to me. They don't want me. That's okay. Somebody else do."

When asked why he didn’t pick up the $3.5 million player option on his contract with Denver, Westbrook got brutally honest in his response. “They told me not to (pick it up). I don't go anywhere I'm not wanted," he said.

As Westbrook indicated, he had no intention of sticking around when the Nuggets made it very clear that they did not want him on their roster. He has since moved on to greener pastures, and he took Monday’s game as an opportunity to send a message to his former team.

Westbrook and the Kings will be back on the court on Wednesday against Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors.

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

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