• Russell Westbrook played a significant role in the Nuggets' Game 7 victory over the Clippers, shooting 41.9% from three-point range.
• Westbrook mocked the Clippers' strategy of encouraging him to shoot 3-pointers, stating it 'didn't work out so well for them.'
• His performance with the Nuggets is being viewed as a potential positive turn in his career, especially after difficult stints with other teams.

Russell Westbrook, now playing for the Denver Nuggets, delivered a noteworthy performance in Game 7 against his former team, the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers' strategy centered around allowing Westbrook open 3-point shots, betting on his historical inefficiency from beyond the arc. However, Westbrook defied expectations, shooting 41.9% from three-point range throughout the series. Following the Nuggets' decisive victory, Westbrook openly mocked the Clippers' game plan, highlighting its ineffectiveness and savoring the win against a team that had traded him.

• What: Russell Westbrook excelled in Game 7 against the Clippers, particularly from the 3-point line, and subsequently mocked the Clippers' strategy.
• Who: Russell Westbrook, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, Nikola Jokic, James Harden, Kris Dunn, Ty Lue.
• When: Game 7 occurred on Saturday, May 4, 2025. The Western Conference Semifinals Game 1 is on Monday at 9:30 p.m. EDT.
• Where: Denver, Colorado (Ball Arena). Next game in Oklahoma City (Paycom Center).

Westbrook's performance in the series, especially Game 7, was a significant factor in the Nuggets' victory. His ability to make the Clippers pay for leaving him open from beyond the arc changed the dynamic of the series. After struggling to adapt to new teams after leaving Oklahoma, Westbrook's current role with the Nuggets appears to be a good fit, allowing him to contribute meaningfully without needing to be the primary ball-handler. The Clippers' decision to trade Westbrook for Kris Dunn and then employ a defensive strategy that backfired highlights the challenges of predicting player performance and adapting to evolving skill sets.

"Picked the wrong person, didn't they?"

"They (the Clippers) believed that was the best bet for taking me out of the series...I don't know what I shot for the series, someone is going to have to tell me."

"Damn, that's solid. I guess it didn't work out so well for them."

"I think it's my ability to be a force of nature on the floor, so whatever that looks like. It may be a turnover, it may be a missed shot, it may be a steal, it may be a dunk, it may be a missed three, it may be a made three. It could be all of that, so just take it how it comes, and whatever happens, you go with it."

Russell Westbrook's impactful performance against the Clippers, highlighted by a crucial Game 7 victory where he contributed 16 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals, underscores his value to the Nuggets and his ability to rise to the occasion. His comments directed at the Clippers revealed his competitive fire and satisfaction in overcoming their defensive schemes. As the Nuggets face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the next round, Westbrook's return to Oklahoma City adds a compelling narrative layer, marking his second playoff series against his former team but his first in front of those fans. While the Thunder are favored, Westbrook's playoff experience, defensive intensity, and improved three-point shooting (40.7% in the series against the Clippers) could be pivotal in disrupting OKC's rhythm. His role in energizing the Nuggets and providing a spark off the bench will be essential as they aim to challenge the Thunder's historically great defense, and Westbrook's performance could significantly reshape perceptions of his contributions in this post-Oklahoma City phase of his career.