“I think he has the most confidence of anyone in this.” Nikola Jokic was loud and clear in his praise for Russell Westbrook after the recent 112-110 win against the LA Clippers. But is there a way to further elevate Russ’s gameplay in the league? It’s clear that the 9x All-Star already delivers impressive, well-rounded performances. However, according to former Miami Heat star Dorrell Wright, there’s a very specific condition where Russ does his best work.

Now, if you’ve been keeping tabs on Russell Westbrook’s journey, this may not come as news to you. Rewind to April 2, 2025: Westbrook reentered Denver’s starting five. The result? A vintage Russ performance—30 points, 11 rebounds, and a whole lot of fire. For Wright, that kind of showing wasn’t just a one-off. It was a signal to the Denver Nuggets coaching staff.

“Go look at the record when Russell was starting and they got some other kid in there that’s not bringing that same type of energy and go back to coaching there… You gotta look at it. We all analytics now. Look at it right there in your face… Russell Westbrook is a difference maker when he’s in the starting line-up, period,” Wright said on the Dwyane Wade podcast, making his stance loud and clear.

And the stats really do back him up. Back in 2022 with the Lakers, Westbrook started all 78 games and averaged 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.1 assists. The following season, his minutes were split between the Lakers and Clippers. He started just 24 of 73 games, and his averages dropped to 15.9 points and 5.8 rebounds. Russ is a difference-maker, and former Nuggets Coach Michael Malone agrees. “He knows what big games are about, and having a veteran who’s been there can reassure some of those guys,” Malone told The Athletic.

Last season didn’t help the narrative either—only 11 starts and 11.1 points a night. But this season, given 36 starts, he’s climbed back to 13.3 points per game. Coincidence? Doesn’t look like it. Jokic believes in him. Wright backs him. The stats support him. So why hasn’t the Denver coaching staff handed the keys to Russell Westbrook?

What’s next for the Nuggets and Russell Westbrook?

Russ has always been the kind of player who keeps fans talking. Whether it’s about his electrifying energy or the risks that sometimes come with it. But if you caught Game 1 of the Nuggets-Clippers clash, you probably saw something different: a veteran stepping up when it mattered, even without the spotlight fully on him. Sure, he wasn’t Denver’s primary weapon, but his presence helped push them over the edge when it counted most.

The game was a rollercoaster from the start. One moment, the Clippers were in control; the next, Denver was inching their way back in. As the minutes wound down, it felt like L.A. might steal the win, but the Nuggets flipped the script with a gutsy fourth-quarter push and clutch execution in overtime. Homecourt defended, momentum claimed.

Now, let’s talk numbers—because five Nuggets finished in double figures. Westbrook? He added 15 points, 8 boards, and 3 assists. Jokic, being Jokic, dropped 22 points, 12 dimes, and nearly pulled off another triple-double. Gordon had 25 and 8, Murray poured in 21 and 9, and Christian Braun added 11. Over 11 postseasons, Russ owns a 59–64 playoff record, the kind of hard‑won experience that can steady a young bench in brutal moments.

Interestingly, despite logging more minutes, both Braun and Michael Porter Jr. couldn’t replicate Westbrook’s impactful presence on the court. So when Dorrell Wright backs Russ to elevate his role, it’s not just nostalgia—it’s worth considering. Could Russ slide into a bigger spot and remind everyone what a 9x All-Star is still capable of? We might just be seeing the start of that conversation.