Russell Westbrook, an NBA veteran, gave his first press conference as a Kings team member on Oct. 19, 2025. He gave his thoughts on the team, the fans and when he'll retire. By Hannah Ruhoff
The Kings might be racking up losses, but Russell Westbrook is still racking up accolades.
Westbrook during Friday night’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves did something only seven other players in NBA history have: reach 10,000 career assists. He came into the night needing six and finished with 14 while also building on his all-time record for triple-doubles with 205.
He also became the second player in NBA history to reach 25,000 points and 10,000 assists, joining LeBron James. And with 13 points Friday, he needs just six points to pass John Havlicek (26,395) and Paul Pierce (26,397) to reach 18th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
The only other players to reach 10,000 assists are John Stockton, Chris Paul, Jason Kidd, James, Steve Nash, Mark Jackson and Magic Johnson. It came just over a week after Westbrook became the NBA’s all-time leading rebounder as a guard during a win over the Golden State Warriors Nov. 5.
“I’m grateful for the things they’ve accomplished,” Westbrook, who turned 37 on Wednesday, said of the players who paved the way for him. “And I’m also just blessed for the things I’ve been able to do in this game.”
Westbrook against Minnesota finished with 13 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds, with the last rebound coming off an air ball just before the game clock ticked to zero in the fourth quarter.
Unfortunately for the Kings, Westbrook’s career accolades are some of the only positive developments around the team. Friday’s 124-110 loss marked the team’s fifth straight double-digit defeat, all by at least 14 points.
Things won’t get easier as play four more games on their road trip, including Sunday against the San Antonio Spurs and Wednesday against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
“I think the Russ is the best, or one of the best point guards to ever play the game,” Dennis Schroder said after he was moved to the bench for the first time this season in favor of Westbrook.
The Sacramento Kings’ Russell Westbrook lights the beam after the Kings’ victory over the Utah Jazz during the home opening game at Golden 1 Center on Oct. 24. Westbrook in Friday’s loss at Minnesota recorded his 10,000th career assist and joined LeBron James as the only players with 25,000 points and 10,000 assists. PAUL KITAGAKI JR. pkitagaki@sacbee.com
Schroder and Westbrook are teammates for the third time in their careers. They were together on the Thunder in 2018-19, Los Angeles Lakers in 2022 and now with Sacramento. Westbrook is on his sixth team since leaving the Thunder in 2020 and has been unfairly criticized as a teammate along the way, Schroder said.
“The last two, three years going through LA and all those teams who did that madness, I’m not agreeing with that,” Schroder said. “And I had a lot of fights with other people about it. He’s one of the best players who ever touched a basketball. Period. Congrats to him. It would have felt better if we got a win as well, but that’s a milestone, you know?”
Westbrook and DeMar DeRozan are both from L.A. and have known each other since they were children, DeRozan said. They will both likely be members of the Basketball Hall of Fame in short order following their retirements.
“I think that’s the cool part,” said DeRozan, who is 25th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. “Just seeing Russ’ journey from high school to college to the league. It’s just amazing to have the relationship before all this. To see how far myself and him as well, accomplished the things that we accomplished, it’s amazing.”
Sacramento Kings guard Russell Westbrook (18) passes the ball to center Maxime Raynaud (42) during an Emirates NBA Cup in-season tournament game as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) defends at Golden 1 Center on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. HECTOR AMEZCUA hamezcua@sacbee.com
Schroder shows signs of life after move to bench
Kings coach Doug Christie said before Friday’s game he wanted to change the “energy, the vibe” with the starting lineup. The only change, with Zach LaVine back in the starting lineup after missing Wednesday’s loss with a thigh contusion, was Schroder being moved to the bench for the first time as a King.
It came after four straight games in which he failed to score in double digits, including when he went scoreless in the loss Tuesday to the Denver Nuggets. He scored just 2 points in the loss Nov. 7 to the Thunder while going 0-of-10 from the field, which started a 4-for-27 skid over the next three games.
But Schroder responded in his new role, scoring 14 points with six assists and six rebounds in Minneapolis on Friday.
“Dennis is the ultimate pro,” Christie said. “High level. He came out and played a hell of a ball game. Led us in that second unit. Russ, both those guys were trying to find ways to win and play the energy. And tonight, they totally did that.”
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Rob Dillingham (4) defends Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schroder (17) during a game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. Schroder guarded Dillingham off the bench in Friday’s loss to the Timberwolves on the road in Minnesota. HANNAH RUHOFF hruhoff@sacbee.com
Schroder helped an improved defensive effort after Christie called his team out for it’s “shameful compete level” after Wednesday’s 33-point loss to the Atlanta Hawks at Golden 1 Center. Schroder played his typically pesky on-ball defense and forced an 8-second violation against Timberwolves backup guard Rob Dillingham.
Schroder signed a three-year, $45 million contract in the offseason to give the Kings stability at the point guard position after not having one following the trade of De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs last February.
“Same thing, same approach,” Schroder said. “Go out there and have fun because I make a lot of money, can feed my family, have a blessed life. Turned my hobby into my job, so (I’m) highly favored and can never take that for granted. ... I always respect whatever the coach asks of me.”
Schroder, who has come off the bench in 419 of his 855 games, said he felt less pressure to play well after being taken out of the starting lineup.
“Yeah, not caring,” Schroder said. “Just going out there and having fun, because everybody else’s (is) doing it, so I should do the same. That’s what I did today and that’s what I’m going to do moving forward.”