The Oklahoma City Thunder announced they will retire Russell Westbrook’s No. 0 jersey on Sunday, Feb. 7 when the team hosts the New York Knicks at Paycom Center. The move comes three months after Westbrook announced his retirement in August, and it makes him just the second player in franchise history to have his number raised to the rafters.
Westbrook spent 11 of his 18 NBA seasons in Oklahoma City after the Thunder drafted him No. 4 overall in 2008. He announced his retirement in August 2026.
The Announcement And What Thunder Leadership Said
Thunder Chairman Clayton I. Bennett framed the jersey retirement announcement as a recognition of Westbrook’s impact beyond basketball. “We are incredibly proud to retire Russell’s number,” Bennett said.
“Russell made a lasting mark on the city and state during his time with the team, and his involvement in the community has endured long after. We are deeply grateful for his genuine care for the people of Oklahoma, and he will always be considered a member of the Oklahoma City community.”
Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti pointed to Westbrook’s on-court identity as the foundation of his legacy. “Many players make an impact but only great players leave a legacy,” Presti said. “Russell Westbrook’s legacy was built both on the court and in the community.
His mindset was relentless, his commitment deep. For all those reasons, Oklahomans consider him one of their own and his number will be raised to the rafters, in Oklahoma City forever.”
What The Franchise Records Show
Westbrook left Oklahoma City as the franchise’s all-time leader in games played (821), points (18,859), rebounds (5,760), assists (6,897), steals (1,442), field goals made (6,626) and minutes (28,329). The Thunder went 538-348 during his tenure, a .607 winning percentage that ranks third in the NBA over that span.
Oklahoma City reached the NBA Finals in 2012, made the playoffs nine times and advanced to four Western Conference Finals with Westbrook on the roster, the second-most conference finals appearances in the league during that stretch.
Career Numbers And Historic Marks
Westbrook’s signature season came in 2016-17, when he won NBA Most Valuable Player honors averaging 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists per game while becoming just the second player in NBA history to average a triple-double for a full season. He set the single-season triple-double record that year with 42 and finished his career with 209 triple-doubles, the most in league history.
He won two scoring titles with Oklahoma City, in 2014-15 and 2016-17, and led the NBA in assists three times. Eight of his nine career All-Star selections and eight of his nine All-NBA selections came during his time with the Thunder. He was also named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021.
Over his full 18-year career, Westbrook appeared in 1,301 regular-season games with averages of 20.9 points, 8.0 assists and 6.9 rebounds, adding 22.5 points, 7.1 assists and 6.7 rebounds across 135 playoff games.
What’s Next
The Thunder will hold the retirement ceremony Feb. 7, 2027, before their game against the Knicks at Paycom Center. Westbrook recently said he hopes to carry the torch at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, another milestone that would extend his public profile beyond his playing days.
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