Russell Westbrook officially announced his retirement from the NBA on Wednesday, bringing an end to one of the most distinctive and productive careers the league has seen from a point guard.
The former NBA MVP revealed the decision in a cinematic social media video narrated by Michael B. Jordan, writing, "Sometimes you don’t even know when you’ve already watched the end. You had to be there. And now it’s over."
The announcement immediately drew reactions from across the basketball world, including Washington Wizards star Trae Young. Young kept his response simple, leaving a salute emoji in the comments as players, former teammates and other NBA figures celebrated Westbrook's 18-year career.
The reaction section quickly became a tribute to a player whose intensity, athleticism and triple-double production helped define an era.
Trae Young Reacts to Russell Westbrook's Retirement
Young was among the notable NBA names to acknowledge Westbrook's retirement announcement.
The Wizards guard responded with the salute emoji, a brief but clear sign of respect for one of the most accomplished point guards of the modern era.
Westbrook's influence on younger guards has been significant. His relentless playing style, ability to attack the rim and willingness to compete with maximum intensity became central parts of his identity throughout his career.
Young's reaction was joined by several other prominent names from around the league.
NBA Stars Flood Russell Westbrook's Comments
Kyle Lowry was one of the first players to leave a message for Westbrook.
"Love HOOD💙!! Congratulations," Lowry wrote.
Patrick Beverley, who shared plenty of memorable battles with Westbrook over the years, responded with a string of fire emojis.
Westbrook's wife, Nina, also reacted with a heart-hands emoji.
Former NBA guard Baron Davis delivered one of the strongest tributes.
"One of the greatest ever !!! Thank you Brodie !! Game. Culture. Community!!!" Davis wrote.
Cameron Payne, who played alongside Westbrook in Oklahoma City, kept his message personal.
"My VET! 🤞" Payne wrote.
Victor Oladipo added another emotional tribute.
"Thank you bro for all you did for me and the game of basketball. Most of all thank you for being an even better Brodie! Your legacy reigns forever! 🙌🏿🫡"
The flood of messages showed the respect Westbrook built across nearly two decades in the NBA.
Russell Westbrook Ends Historic NBA Career
Westbrook retires after 18 NBA seasons and seven different teams.
He spent the majority of his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder after being selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. He later played for the Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings.
His peak came during the 2016-17 season, when he won the NBA MVP award after averaging a triple-double.
Westbrook eventually made the triple-double one of the defining statistics of his career. He retires as the NBA's all-time leader with 209.
Westbrook also finished his career with 27,176 points, 10,351 assists and 9,025 rebounds. He is one of only two players in NBA history, along with LeBron James, to record at least 25,000 points and 10,000 assists.
He also climbed to fifth on the NBA's all-time assists list during his final season.
Westbrook Leaves Behind One of NBA's Most Unique Legacies
Westbrook's career résumé includes nine All-Star selections, nine All-NBA honors, two scoring titles and three seasons leading the league in assists.
He never won an NBA championship, but his individual accomplishments place him among the most productive guards in league history.
More than the numbers, Westbrook became known for playing with an intensity that rarely changed regardless of the opponent, situation or stage of his career.
That helps explain why so many players immediately showed up in his comments Wednesday.
Young's salute may have been brief, but it fit the moment.
For one of the most relentless competitors of his generation, the basketball world was offering one final sign of respect.
