The Los Angeles Lakers finally did it: they won their first game of the season.
Fans entered the game against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night with their heads hanging low because they expected yet another loss and a shameful 0-6 record.
But LA impressed the crowd and gave them something to cheer about, securing a strong 121-110 win over the Nuggets, the same team who beat them just a few nights before.
Russell Westbrook tonight off the bench:
18 Points
8 Rebounds
8 Assists
50% FG
2/4 3PM
4/4 FTM pic.twitter.com/htbV08tNEG— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 31, 2022
The good news is that quite a few stars were shining in Hollywood on Sunday night but one of the biggest bright points happened to be one of the most controversial.
Russell Westbrook showed up on Sunday and seemed more than comfortable coming off the bench for his team.
Westbrook’s totals are great: 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists.
His accuracy was present for the first time in months, with a 50% field goal percentage and he even landed 2 of his 4 three-point attempts.
Westbrook was looking like a strong sixth man in his team’s game against the Nuggets.
Has he maybe, possibly, finally turned over a new leaf?
A Win For Westbrook
This win couldn’t have come at a better time for Westbrook.
The headlines and stories about him have been horrible lately because of his lacking performance with the team and not many people had any sort of faith in him.
A night like this is a good start to turning things around.
Now, there is still a long way to go before Westbrook and his team are legitimately good, one strong win doesn’t change the overall narrative.
But it shows that head coach Darvin Ham‘s plan to bring Westbrook off the bench isn’t a bad one, it can work.
For the first time in ages, Westbrook received a standing ovation at the end of the game.
Fans are seeing glimmers of what this player could be.
NEXT: NBA Star Gets Real About His Future With The Lakers