LOS ANGELES – As he showcased both his competitiveness and frustrations during the Los Angeles Clippers’ eventual 134-124 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Monday, Russell Westbrook unleashed those emotions to a nearby fan that heckled him.
“It’s unfortunate. Fans think they can say whatever they want,” Westbrook said in the locker room afterwards “I’m not going to say it now because it’s not appropriate. But I’m just protecting myself.”
As shown in the video above, Westbrook talked directly to a fan that was standing behind the courtside seats. The fan repeatedly tapped his head, perhaps telling Westbrook to improve his decision making. Another fan also heckled Westbrook, though his body gestures weren’t as pronounced.
During that exchange, a security guard, official Lauren Holtkamp, Nuggets guard Justin Holiday and Nuggets center DeAndre Jordan all intervened. During those efforts, Westbrook repeatedly challenged the fans onto the court.
“They feel they can kind of say whatever, but this is our job,” Russell Westbrook said. “This is something we compete to do. Enjoy the game. But all of the negative comments toward family and things of that nature, stay away from [that[. Anything else, they can say what they want. But for me personally, I’m trying to go out and compete as hard as I can. Anything that pertains to my family or myself, I won’t stand for it.”
Did any of the fans make any personal comments about Westbrook or his family?
“I’m not going to speak on it because it’s not appropriate,” Westbrook said. “But if I’m responding, then there is a reason I’m responding. I protect that always. It’s no different now.”
This marks the latest of many incidents in which Westbrook confronted fans for their behavior throughout his stints with the Oklahoma City Thunder (2008-2019), Houston Rockets (2019-20), Washington Wizards (2020-21), Los Angeles Lakers (2021-23) and the Clippers (present).
Six years ago, a courtside fan in Philadelphia flipped off Westbrook before getting ejected. Four years ago, the Utah Jazz issued a lifetime ban to a fan that had a verbal altercation with Westbrook while he was on the bench.
And two years ago, the Sixers issued an indefinite ban to a fan that dumped popcorn on Westbrook from the stands above the entrance tunnel. During his tumultuous time with the Lakers, Westbrook shared he and his family received death threats on social media. Westbrook also confronted fans during that time for calling him ‘Westbrick’ and considered the taunt disrespectful to his family name.
Russell Westbrook talks incident with heckler in Clippers loss
“When I first started in the league, I used to get into it, but not so much. But now that I have kids and understand how important it is – my last name and understanding what Westbrook means and understanding how important that is to my dad, my grandfather and my family, it’s very important,” Westbrook said. “It’s something that I stand on.
The respect is a big thing that I value. The moment that a line gets crossed, I will not allow it anymore. I stood for it for years. Now my son is old enough to know what is going on and ask me, ‘Hey Dad, what does that mean?’ I now have to stand on it, regardless of where I’m at. No matter what’s going on, I’ll always stand on that.”
It’s not immediately clear if the security officials ejected the fans that taunted Westbrook.
“A lot of it is people know, and it’s very unfortunate, that they’re protected,” Westbrook said. “I just really hope whatever rules are in place, it takes a while whether it’s security or arenas or whatever it may be, to tell fans to get out. But fans have the right to say whatever they want to say. But like I told you, any disrespect to me and my family, I won’t allow it.”
As if Westbrook had enough to feel frustrated.
The Clippers (7-9) lost to the Denver Nuggets (12-6), despite nursing key injuries to Nikola Jokic (back), Aaron Gordon (heel) and Jamal Murray (hamstring). Denver outscored the Clippers, 36-16, in the fourth quarter before Reggie Jackson finished with 35 points on 15-for-19 shooting and 13 assists. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said, “I take full responsibility” for the team squandering an 11-point lead.
As for Westbrook? He finished with 14 points on a 5-for-9 clip along with 11 rebounds and three assists in 27 minutes off the bench. But he also recorded poor numbers in fouls (four), turnovers (two) and plus-minus rating (-11). While Kawhi Leonard had 31 points on 10-for-26 shooting, James Harden (11 points on 3-for-7 shooting) and Paul George (six points on 2-for-13) had off nights.
“I’m not one to make excuses. I just try to figure out what I need to do,” Russell Westbrook said. “As somebody that has been in the league for a long time, I’ve tried to adjust and do different things on different teams. I’ll always figure it out. I’ll keep my faith and understand my value and what I bring to the team. Every time I step on the floor, I’ll give everything that I have.”
Mark Medina is an NBA insider for Sportsnaut. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Threads.