With 20 seconds left in Tuesday night's double-overtime thriller, the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves were tied at 138-138... when Russell Westbrook missed a foul shot.
Videos by FanBuzz
Then with ten seconds left and the Nuggets leading 139-138, Westbrook also proceeded to blow a wide-open transition layup, much to the dismay of all 20,000 fans in attendance at Ball arena.
A disaster sequence from Russell Westbrook
ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED???pic.twitter.com/YmI6tRhS7H
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) April 2, 2025
The Timberwolves then had possession for the final shot, trailing by one point still.
And ultimately it ended the worst way possible for Denver, with .1 seconds on the clock, Westbrook broke every coach's golden rule by fouling a three-point shooter, Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
The Russell Westbrook experience lmaoo pic.twitter.com/TLEisovySP
— John (@iam_johnw) April 2, 2025
Two free throws were made, and as a result, the Nuggets lost 140-139.
“Whatever I did don’t matter. He the MVP tonight.”
Anthony Edwards gave props to Nickeil Alexander-Walker after the Wolves’ huge 2OT win over the Nuggets 🙌
(via @NBAonTNT)pic.twitter.com/ntTpMup8dK
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 2, 2025
That is to say, with the game going 58 minutes down to the wire, many fans are putting all the blame on 9x All-Star Westbrook, who seemingly pulled an April Fool's joke performance on his own team, ending the night with 12 points (0-3 3PT; 4-7 FT) and five turnovers.
Russell Westbrook with an all time terrible decision pic.twitter.com/jXsXjDFus8
— Jake Shapiro (@Shapalicious) April 2, 2025
On the other hand, 3x MVP Nikola Jokic dropped yet another masterclass performance, contributing a career-high 61 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.
One user on X wrote, "Russell Westbrook just threw away one of the best stat lines you will ever see in your life."
Nikola Jokic to Russell Westbrook right now😭 pic.twitter.com/iQpPh2x6XA
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) April 2, 2025
Needless to say, many fans expressed their frustrations with Westbrook after the heartbreaking loss.
There is nothing more challenging on this app then being a Russell Westbrook FC page in 2025. pic.twitter.com/lLAj2XrH8b
— AMB🫀 (@AMBGotAura) April 2, 2025
"Russell Westbrook used 0 brain cells at the end of this Nuggets Timberwolves game," a user on X wrote. "1st, why ever take the layup there (which he missed)? 2nd, how in the f*** do you foul a 3-point shooter with [.1] seconds left on the clock up by 1? Ruined a perfect game."
Understandably, Nuggets fans lost sleep over the missed layup and bone-headed foul with 0.1 seconds.
I’m done man.
Legit done.
There’s no way I stayed up on a work night at 1 AM to see Russell Westbrook do that….#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/G31bW1jPiK
— HiMyNameIsJC 🫡 (@HiMyNameIsJC_) April 2, 2025
All in all, the NBA veteran may have to lay low for a while in Denver.
Russell Westbrook next time he pumping gas in Denver pic.twitter.com/fVQDKHusv8
— bob truck (@TruckBon) April 2, 2025
With a loss, the Nuggets still hold the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference (47-29 record), yet are only 0.5 games ahead of the LA Lakers (46-29). While the Timberwolves (44-32) are right in the middle of the highly contested playoff hunt themselves, currently 0.5 games back of the No. 5 seed and in front 0.5 games of the eighth seed.
