Nobody expected this. Seriously. If you’d told an NBA fan back in 2017—the year of the legendary triple-double MVP run—that we’d be sitting here in January 2026 watching Russ still rack up 30-minute nights, they’d have called you delusional.
The narrative was always that he’d burn out. "His game won't age well," the pundits chirped. They said a guy who relies on pure, unadulterated explosive violence to get to the rim would hit a wall by 32.
Well, look at the calendar. It’s 2026. The age of Russell Westbrook is currently 37, and he’s still out there making people look silly.
He isn't just "hanging on" as a locker room vet who waves a towel. He’s currently playing for the Sacramento Kings, and honestly, he’s been a massive spark for them. Just a few days ago, he dropped 22 points on the Lakers. He’s 37 years old and still passing legends like Magic Johnson on the all-time assists list. It’s kinda wild when you actually stop to think about the mileage on those knees.
The Reality of Russell Westbrook Age and His 17-Season Grind
Born on November 12, 1988, in Long Beach, Russell Westbrook III has basically spent the last two decades defying physics. When you hit 37 in the NBA, you’re usually either retired or playing six minutes a night as a "mentor." Russ? He’s averaging nearly 30 minutes a game this month.
People always obsess over the "decline." It’s the favorite pastime of NBA Twitter. But the decline of Westbrook hasn't been a cliff; it’s been more like a strategic pivot.
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Breaking Down the Timeline
- The OKC Years (2008–2019): This was the "Brodie" at his peak. Pure speed. He was 20 when he entered the league and 30 when he left Oklahoma City.
- The Journeyman Phase (2019–2024): Houston, Washington, the Lakers, the Clippers, Denver. This is where everyone started counting him out. By the time he hit 35, the "washed" allegations were at an all-time high.
- The Sacramento Renaissance (2025–Present): Now, at 37, he’s found a home in Northern California. He signed a one-year deal for about $3.6 million, and he’s giving the Kings way more value than that.
The thing about Westbrook's age is that it doesn't show up in his motor. The jumper is still... well, it’s still Russell Westbrook’s jumper. It's streaky. But the intensity? That hasn't dipped a single percent. He’s still the first guy diving for a loose ball in the first quarter of a random Tuesday night game against Detroit.
How He’s Still Doing This at 37
You don't just "stay athletic" at nearly 40 by accident. There’s a lot of talk about his "secret" workouts. For years, the Thunder kept his training regimen under wraps.
But we know a few things. He’s obsessed with core and balance. There are stories of him doing leg lifts while standing in elevators. It sounds like a myth, but with Russ, you kinda believe it. He also changed his running mechanics years ago. He moved to more of a forefoot strike to save his knees from the impact of those thunderous (pun intended) landings.
Honestly, a lot of it is just stubbornness.
He refuses to get old. While other players start looking for "load management" days, Westbrook treats every game like it’s Game 7 of the Finals. That mentality is infectious, but it’s also exhausting. It’s why some teams struggled to fit him in. You have to be ready to play at his speed, or you’ll get left behind.
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The Numbers Don't Lie
He recently passed Oscar Robertson for the most points ever by a point guard. Think about that. He’s seventh on the all-time assists list. He’s the king of the triple-double. At 37, he’s still putting up double-doubles with assists and rebounds.
- 11/12/1988: The day the legend started.
- 18 Seasons: The length of his pro career as of 2026.
- $349 Million+: His career earnings, which is a testament to how long he’s stayed at the top.
What Most People Get Wrong About Aging Superstars
There’s this idea that once you lose your 40-inch vertical, you’re useless. Russ proved that wrong by leaning into his playmaking. In Sacramento, he’s been the primary floor general when De'Aaron Fox or Zach LaVine are off the floor.
He’s adapted. He’s shooting better from deep lately—hitting 4-of-8 against the Lakers recently—but the real value is the pressure he puts on the rim. Even at 37, defenders are terrified of him in transition. He forces the defense to collapse, which opens up everything for shooters like Malik Monk.
Is he the MVP version of himself? No. Of course not. But he’s a 37-year-old who can still give you 20, 5, and 5 on any given night. That’s rare. Like, LeBron-levels of rare.
What's Next for the Brodie?
His current contract with the Kings runs through the end of the 2025-26 season. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent again in the summer of 2026, where he’ll be pushing 38.
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Will he retire? Probably not. He seems like the type of guy who will have to be dragged off the court. He loves the game too much. He loves the competition too much.
The takeaway for fans is simple: Stop waiting for him to fail and start appreciating the longevity. We are watching one of the greatest athletes in the history of the sport squeeze every last drop out of his career. Whether you love him or hate him, you have to respect the fact that at 37, Russell Westbrook is still the hardest-working guy in the building.
If you're looking to track his performance for the rest of the season, keep an eye on his minutes. As long as he's hovering around that 28-30 minute mark, the Kings are serious contenders for a deep playoff run. Keep tabs on the NBA injury reports, but history suggests Westbrook is made of different stuff than the rest of us.
Watch the Kings' upcoming games against the Clippers and Mavericks—those are the matchups where his veteran experience and "old man strength" usually take over.
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