May 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) runs down the court after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half during game one of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Heartfelt Russell Westbrook Statement

Originally posted on Denver Nuggets on SI
By Logan Struck | Last updated May 8, 2025 1:10 AM ET

In the 2024 offseason, the Denver Nuggets took a chance on free agent point guard Russell Westbrook, and the 36-year-old has exceeded expectations.

In Denver's first-round series against the LA Clippers, Westbrook came up huge against his former team, being a huge reason why they were able to win and move on to the next round. In the second round, however, Westbrook has to face another one of his former teams, the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Westbrook is arguably the greatest player in the Thunder franchise history, headlined by his 2016-17 MVP campaign and 11 incredible years there. The Nuggets traveled to Oklahoma City for Games 1 and 2 of their series, and the Thunder fanbase still has no love lost for Westbrook, giving him a standing ovation as he checked in.

Russell Westbrook receives a standing ovation in OKC

( @RyanGreeneDNVR )

pic.twitter.com/AK4CKQnUrr
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 6, 2025

Westbrook dropped 18 points on 7-13 shooting from the field to help lead the Nuggets to a huge Game 1 win. In Game 2, the Nuggets got blown out by 43 points, but Westbrook dropped a team-high 19 points with 5 assists, as the veteran point guard seems to feel comfortable playing in the Paycom Center.

After Game 2, Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got honest about Westbrook receiving an ovation from the Oklahoma City crowd, sending a heartfelt message to the Nuggets guard.

"The ovation is beautiful," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "The things he’s done for this city, for this organization, he deserves it."

SGA on the OKC fan response to Russell Westbrook in Game 1 vs Game 2:

“The ovation is beautiful. The things he’s done for this city, for this organization, he deserves it. And what he’s done for this game..

The boo’s tonight..Our crowd, they got it..They always have our back.”
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) May 8, 2025

Westbrook has cemented himself as one of the greatest point guards in NBA history, and returning to Oklahoma City as a visitor at age 36 while still playing at a high level is incredible. Westbrook's legacy with the Thunder is clearly still felt, as Gilgeous-Alexander continues to show respect for the legendary guard.

This article first appeared on Denver Nuggets on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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