In a night that could only be described as disastrous, Russell Westbrook’s debut with the Denver Nuggets left fans in disbelief. On October 24, 2024, the nine-time All-Star guard managed to hit just 2-of-10 shots, sinking a mere one of his six three-point attempts, leading to a disappointing six points in a 102-87 home defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Talk about a rough start!
The Fallout of Westbrook’s Debut: Fans Sound Off on a Night to Forget!
As the Nuggets tumbled, the stat sheet revealed a brutal reality: while Westbrook did contribute five assists, five rebounds, two blocks, and a steal, his presence seemed to correlate directly with Denver’s struggles. During his 21 minutes on the court, the Nuggets were outscored by a staggering 24 points. This wasn’t just a game; it was a revelation.
The Thunder’s bench showed up in full force, highlighting the glaring weaknesses in Denver’s second unit. Notably, Alex Caruso played a pivotal role, finishing with a +19 rating despite not scoring a single point. Meanwhile, Aaron Wiggins made his mark, scoring 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting. It begs the question: where was Denver’s depth?
But let’s not make this solely about Westbrook’s struggles. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is planting his flag in the MVP race, dazzling the crowd with 28 points, eight assists, and a series of blocks that sent a message to the league. Chet Holmgren, meanwhile, is blossoming into a superstar, racking up 25 points and 14 rebounds, and showcasing a defensive prowess that made the Nuggets look utterly lost.
The Thunder’s defensive strategy stifled the Nuggets, holding them to a mere 35.4 percent shooting from the field and limiting their three-point attempts to a dismal 7-of-39. It’s safe to say the Nuggets’ offense was a shadow of its potential. While all five starters managed to hit double digits, none exceeded 16 points. Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic recorded another triple-double with 16 points, 13 assists, and 12 rebounds, but even his magic wasn’t enough to spark life into the team.
Westbrook joined the Nuggets on a two-year, $6.8 million contract, meant to bolster a bench that needed a serious boost following the departure of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Orlando Magic. Expectations were high. However, his debut ignited a firestorm of criticism on social media, with fans voicing their frustrations in full force.
“Westbrook checked in, and the Thunder went on a 21-6 run,” tweeted one disgruntled fan. Another quipped, “For once, let that man play in peace,” while others hilariously pointed out that Westbrook seemed to be helping the Thunder with every move he made.
As the Nuggets look to rebound against the Los Angeles Clippers, fans are left pondering the long-term implications of this debut. Will Westbrook find his footing, or has he stumbled into a storm he can’t escape?
In the words of an old proverb, “What goes up must come down.” For Westbrook and the Nuggets, the pressure is on to rise again. The season is young, but this opening night was anything but a fairy tale.
As we move forward, the key question lingers: Can Westbrook turn this ship around, or will it sink deeper into the abyss? Only time will tell.
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