The Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night, suffering another defeat to a team that has consistently outperformed them in recent years. Despite holding a lead at halftime, Los Angeles came out flat in the second half.
Denver seized control after the break, cruising to a commanding 127-102 victory. Former Lakers guard Russell Westbrook appeared to relish the opportunity to face his old team during the matchup.
Westbrook delivered a strong performance, recording 14 points, seven rebounds, 11 assists, and a steal. His impactful play was a key factor in Denver’s win and likely carried extra meaning given his past with the Lakers.
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Westbrook’s stint in Los Angeles was marked by struggles on both sides, ultimately leading to a mutual split. While his departure from the Lakers is now in the past, it remains fresh in the minds of many fans, who booed him during the game. However, Westbrook tuned out the negativity and showcased his talents in a standout performance. The veteran guard has found a comfortable fit with the Nuggets, as Saturday’s showing further demonstrated.
After the game, Westbrook shared a post on Instagram that seemed to subtly address his former team. The post featured the caption “LOL” accompanied by the Kendrick Lamar song “Not Like Us.” The song, popular in Los Angeles, might have been chosen to send a pointed message, though the exact intent is open to interpretation. Given Westbrook’s deep roots in Los Angeles, fans speculated whether the post was directed at the Lakers.
Regardless of whether it was intentional, Westbrook appears to have moved on from his time with the Lakers, thriving in his new role with Denver.
This season, Westbrook is averaging 11.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. He has provided a significant boost to the Nuggets’ bench and embraced his responsibilities.
One of the criticisms of Westbrook in recent years has been his resistance to adapting to new roles. However, it now seems that the future Hall-of-Famer has learned from his past experiences, focusing on what it takes to help his team compete for a championship.
