Russell Westbrook had a rough beginning with the Denver Nuggets, struggling to make an impact in his first two games.
Westbrook’s Early Struggles
In those initial matches, Westbrook was shooting only 11.1% from the field, taking nine shots per game. His difficulties were affecting the team’s performance when he was on the court with the second unit, leading to losses in both games.
A Turnaround Performance
On Tuesday, everything changed for Westbrook as he scored 22 points and dished out five assists in just 20 minutes. Afterward, he mentioned that Brooklyn Nets‘ bench players inspired him to step up his game.
“They learned the hard way,” Westbrook said. “I’m one of the most competitive to play the game. When they wanna raise their level, I raise my level. Simple as that.”
โThey learned the hard wayโ ๐ณ
Westbrook on the competitiveness of the game๐
— AltitudeTV (@AltitudeTV)
Impact of Brooklyn’s Bench
Brooklyn’s bench played tough and talked trash, which seemed to ignite something in Westbrook. It helped him kick off his time with the Nuggets successfully. Denver needs this version of Westbrook every night because when he’s on fire like that Tuesday night, he’s crucial for their lineup.
Fans love seeing this side of him; it makes games more exciting!
His skills at controlling tempo and creating opportunities make him perfect as a sixth man alongside Nikola Jokic’s brilliance.
Denver’s Current Standing
The Nuggets have balanced their season record at 2-2 after winning two overtime games against rebuilding teams from the Eastern Conference. However, they still need to prove themselves against stronger opponents across NBA rosters.
If Westbrook keeps playing at this high level consistently like he did recentlyโDenver will remind everyone why they became champions back in ’23!
