You’ve seen the highlights. You’ve seen the triple-doubles. Honestly, if you’ve followed the NBA at all over the last decade and a half, you probably have a very strong opinion on the man they call "Brodie." But when you actually look at russell westbrook points per game numbers, a much weirder story starts to emerge than just "he shoots a lot."
Russ is a paradox.
He’s the guy who once averaged a triple-double for a whole season—multiple times, actually—and yet, critics still argue over whether his scoring helps or hurts his team. As of early 2026, Westbrook is effectively a different player than the one who scorched the earth in Oklahoma City. He’s currently playing for the Sacramento Kings, serving as a veteran stabilizer. But to understand why his current 14.5 points per game matters, you have to look at the 31.6 that came before it.
The Peak: When Russell Westbrook Points Per Game Broke the NBA
There was a time, specifically the 2016-17 season, where Westbrook’s scoring wasn't just high; it was historic. Following Kevin Durant’s departure to Golden State, Russ went on a certified revenge tour. He didn’t just lead the league in scoring; he willed a roster into the playoffs through sheer force of habit.
He averaged 31.6 points per game that year.
Think about that for a second. He was doing that while also grabbing 10.7 rebounds and dishing out 10.4 assists. It remains one of the most statistically absurd individual seasons in the history of professional sports. But here is the thing people forget: he wasn't just "stat padding." He led the league in "clutch" scoring that year too. When the game was on the line, the ball was in his hands, and more often than not, it went through the hoop.
His scoring has always been a volume game. He’s never been a "pure" shooter in the vein of Steph Curry or even Damian Lillard. Instead, his points came from relentless rim pressure. He’d blow past a defender, absorb contact from a 7-footer, and somehow finish the layup. Or he’d pull up for that "cotton shot" midrange jumper that, for a few years, was basically automatic.
Why the Numbers Started to Dip
If you look at his career arc, you see a steady decline in the scoring average. After that MVP season, he dropped to 25.4, then 22.9. By the time he hit the Lakers in 2021, he was down to 18.5 points per game.
Why? It’s not just age.
Basketball changed, and Russ’s role changed with it. In Houston, he actually had a massive efficiency spike, averaging 27.2 points because they cleared the floor and let him play center-less basketball. But as he moved to the Wizards, then the Lakers, Clippers, and eventually the Nuggets and Kings, he had to stop being "The Sun" around which everything revolved.
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The Efficiency Conversation
This is where the "Advanced Stats" crowd usually starts yelling. They’ll point out that while russell westbrook points per game remained high for years, his true shooting percentage often lagged behind league average.
It’s a fair point. Sorta.
Russ has always been a "rhythm" player. If he misses his first three shots, he’s probably going to take a fourth to try and find the feel. In the modern NBA, which prizes efficiency above all else, that style of play became a lightning rod for criticism. But if you ask his teammates—guys like Paul George or Bradley Beal—they’ll tell you his scoring opens up everything else. His gravity, even when he’s struggling to finish, forces defenses to collapse.
The Sacramento Chapter: Scoring in Small Bursts
Fast forward to the 2025-26 season in Sacramento. Russ isn't the guy taking 25 shots a night anymore. He’s 37 years old. He’s playing about 29 minutes a game.
Right now, he’s sitting at 14.5 points per game.
But look at the impact. Just a few days ago, on January 12, 2026, he dropped 22 points and 7 assists in a win against his former team, the Lakers. He’s moved into a "stabilizer" role. He comes off the bench, or starts in certain matchups, and provides an immediate jolt of energy. He recently crossed the 26,000 career points threshold, becoming only the 23rd player in NBA history to reach that mark.
It’s a different kind of scoring. It’s smarter. He’s picking his spots, cutting to the rim when De'Aaron Fox draws a double team, and hitting just enough threes (shooting about 33.5% this year) to keep teams honest.
Russell Westbrook Career Scoring Breakdown
To get the full picture, you have to see the stages of his career. It’s not a straight line; it’s a rollercoaster.
The OKC "Big Three" Era
In the early days, Russ was the second option. He averaged between 15 and 23 points. He was the lightning to KD’s thunder. People used to joke that Russ was the only person who could "stop" Durant, but the reality was they were the most terrifying duo in the league.
The Lone Wolf Era
The 31.6 ppg season. This was the absolute ceiling of what a single human could do on a basketball court. Every possession went through him.
The Journeyman Star Era
In Washington (22.2 ppg) and Houston (27.2 ppg), he proved he could still be a primary scoring engine in different systems. He dragged a struggling Wizards team to the playoffs by averaging a triple-double yet again.
The Role Player Evolution
This is where he is now. Between the Clippers, Nuggets, and Kings, his average has settled into the 11-15 range. He’s focused on playmaking and leadership, but he still has those "Vintage Russ" nights where he’ll put up 25 in a half just to remind everyone who he is.
What Most People Miss
The obsession with the raw "points per game" number misses the "how."
Russ scores via chaos. Most NBA players want a clean look. They want a screen, a switch, and a wide-open corner three. Russ wants to run through a wall. Even in 2026, his points often come from offensive rebounds—which is insane for a guard—or from transition leak-outs.
He’s currently 6th in the league in assists this season, which tells you he’s prioritizing the pass, but that threat of him driving to the cup is what makes the pass possible. If he stopped scoring, his assists would disappear because defenders wouldn't bother closing out on him.
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What’s Next for the Brodie?
As he nears the end of his career, the russell westbrook points per game tracker is basically a countdown to the Hall of Fame. He’s already secured his legacy as one of the greatest to ever do it.
If you’re tracking his stats for fantasy or just because you’re a fan, keep an eye on his "Points in the Paint." That’s the real barometer for Russ. When he’s getting to the rim, the Kings win. When he’s settling for contested jumpers, the numbers look okay, but the impact isn't there.
To get the most out of following Westbrook's twilight years, watch the fourth-quarter lineups. Even with a lower scoring average, he’s often the guy Sacramento trusts to handle the ball when the pressure is at its highest. You can track his nightly splits on StatMuse or Basketball-Reference to see how he performs against specific defensive schemes—he still tends to kill teams that play a "Drop" coverage.
Next time you see a box score and notice he "only" had 12 points, look at the plus-minus. Usually, you’ll find that those 12 points came exactly when the team needed a spark to stop an opposing run. That’s the evolution of Russell Westbrook.