Russell Westbrook Achieves Huge NBA Milestone Despite Lakers Defeat in Brooklyn

• Russell Westbrook moved into the top 10 on the NBA all-time assists list, passing Hall of Famer Gary Payton
• The Los Angeles Lakers star now has 8,967 assists in his career
• Westbrook was forced to start from the bench for the Lakers this season after a poor start to the 2022/23 season

Los Angeles Lakers point guard Russell Westbrook moved into the top 10 on the NBA's all-time assists list with 8,967 assists in his career. He surpassed NBA Hall of Famer Gary Payton.

Chris Paul (third) and LeBron James (sixth) are the only players in the top 10. The 34-year-old has been coming off the bench for the Lakers for most of this season, a decision which drastically improved the team which started 2-10.

The adjustment to come off the bench paid off for the point guard after his Lakers career started terribly. He is a serious candidate for the Sixth Man of the Year award if he continues with his performances.

Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer: Is CR7 leaving Manchester United and which clubs are likely to acquire him?

Football

The former Oklahoma City Thunder is averaging 15.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 7.5 assists in 48 games this season.

Westbrook reaches new milestone

Towards the end of the second quarter, Westbrook faked Royce O'Neale at the perimeter, drove to the basket, and then passed the ball to Thomas Bryant, who slammed it home. That assist was his 8,967th in his career.

The 2017 NBA MVP is averaging 16.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 7.7 assists in 44 games from the bench, per CBS Sports.

He is 11th in assists this season, but leads all bench players.

Fans reaction to Westbrook's achievement

Here is how fans reacted to Westbrook's latest milestone.

@ZubayrMohamoud:

"A very underrated playmaker in my opinion but as I said in the past if he doesn’t change his ways he’s never gonna win a championship at this stage in his career he hasn’t adjusted to this era of three point shooting and that’s a main key to a championship at this level."

Top 15 best shooting guards of all time: Find out who’s on the list

NBA

@SOULbeautifulme:

"RESPECT. He’s has an amazing career!! Congrats Westbrook."

@dpattr"

"2X scoring champ and top 10 in assists. Even his teammate can’t say that. Congrats!"

@yungtzeee:

"Congrats, Now help us get to the playoffs."

@LADukestar

"Congrats Russ. And still wearing his KB3 bracelet over a decade later. All-time loyalty."

Irving lauds LeBron James

Sports Brief earlier reported on Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving lauding LeBron James, who is about to make NBA history.

The 30-year-old praised James who is now playing in his 20th NBA season and is set to become NBA's All-time leading scorer in February 2023.

At 38 years old, James is also averaging an incredible 30.2 points per game.