Nuggets broadcasters caught blatantly "hating" on Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook made a great play that led to Aaron Gordon's game-winning 3-pointer in the Denver Nuggets' 121-119 victory over the OKC Thunder on Monday. However, a trio of Nuggets broadcasters was hilariously caught "hating" on Westbrook during the final seconds of Game 1.
In a post by Altitude TV on X, formerly known as Twitter, Chris Marlowe, Chris Dempsey and Vic Lombardi were calling the game from the studio in Denver. They had the same reaction when Christian Braun passed the ball to the former NBA MVP.
"No, no, no, no, no," the trio said.
Chris Marlowe, Chris Dempsey and Vic Lombardi probably thought that Russell Westbrook was going to drive to the basket and become the hero for the Denver Nuggets. It was a valid assumption since Westbrook was in Oklahoma City and getting the game-winning basket against his former team is a storybook ending.
However, Westbrook did the right basketball play on the fastbreak by passing the ball to the wide-open Aaron Gordon. He was in rhythm after making two clutch free throws. He caught the ball, with his feet set and let it go for a big-time bucket to put Denver up 121-119 with 2.8 seconds left.
The Thunder had already burned their timeouts as the ball was inbounded to Jalen Williams, who missed his shot from beyond half-court. The Nuggets celebrated and mobbed Gordon, who made his second game-winner of the playoffs, and it's just the second round.
Chet Holmgren missed two free throws prior to the final play of the game. Coach Mark Daigneault was criticized for using his two timeouts and playing the foul game when they could have defended properly to secure the win.
Instead, they put the pressure on themselves to make free throws, which the Nuggets did late. They let the visitors stay in the game enough for them to steal Game 1 and earn a 1-0 series lead.
Russell Westbrook gets standing ovation in playoff return to Oklahoma City
Russell Westbrook spent the first 11 years of his career with the OKC Thunder. Some even consider him the greatest player in franchise history over Kevin Durant and Gary Payton. Westbrook won the MVP with the Thunder in 2017, averaging a triple-double.
In his first playoff game back in Oklahoma City since 2019, Westbrook received a great ovation from the Thunder fans inside the Paycom Center. He subbed into the game in the first quarter and was cheered by the crowd.
Westbrook was brilliant for the Nuggets, finishing with 18 points, two rebounds and two assists on 7-for-13 shooting in Game 1.
