Thunder Set to Retire Westbrook's No. 0 on Feb. 7, 2027

The Oklahoma City Thunder will retire Russell Westbrook's number 0 on Feb. 7, 2027. The ceremony will take place at the Paycom Center during a home game against the New York Knicks. The team made the announcement on Monday, setting a specific date for the honor.

Westbrook concluded his 18-year career this offseason. He made nine All-Star teams and nine All-NBA teams. He won the MVP award for the 2016-17 season. He spent the majority of that time in Oklahoma City. In 821 games for the Thunder, he averaged 23.0 points, 8.4 assists, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game.

General manager Sam Presti released a statement praising the former guard. He said Westbrook built his legacy on the court and in the community. Presti noted that Oklahomans consider Westbrook one of their own. The number will be raised to the rafters in Oklahoma City forever.

Westbrook was traded to the Houston Rockets before the 2019-20 season. He did not stay with any single team for two full seasons after leaving Oklahoma. He played for Houston, Washington, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Los Angeles Clippers, Denver, and Sacramento before retiring.

Injury concerns for Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace led some to wonder if Westbrook might return to help the roster. Presti addressed that question during a press conference last week. He said he had not thought about the roster spot at that time. His focus was on supporting the current players and addressing the challenge ahead.

The jersey retirement clarifies Westbrook's status with the franchise. It ends speculation that he might end his retirement to play for the Thunder again. Westbrook remains the most beloved figure in the team's history. He established the NBA's presence in Oklahoma City and gave back to the local community.