Russell Westbrook just became the most unlikely flopping victim in NBA history as the league slapped the 37-year-old with a $2,000 fine on Wednesday.
“SAC’s Russell Westbrook was assessed a postgame Flopping fine of $2,000 upon league office review for Dec. 23 vs. DET,” the NBA announced. Folks got a 400V shock, since Westbrook is known for attacking the rim with force and playing as hard as anyone in the league.
SAC’s Russell Westbrook was assessed a postgame Flopping fine of $2,000 upon league office review for https://t.co/cJRkrGlouv Dec. 23 vs. DET.
— NBA Official (@NBAOfficial) December 24, 2025
The league conducted a postgame review and was convinced that Westbrook exaggerated contact on a play during the fourth quarter. He was playing tight full-court defense on Pistons guard Cade Cunningham.
Westbrook put on a convincing personal show by scoring 27 points, six rebounds, and four assists in the Kings’ 136-127 loss to the Detroit Pistons. Their overall team performance was so underwhelming that DeMar DeRozan’s sensational 37-point game also couldn’t help much to escape with a victory.
According to Spotrac, this fine joins a $2,000 sanction from earlier this month against Minnesota. Westbrook’s career total in fines now exceeds $500,000.
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But the thing is that Russ has built his entire career on physicality and toughness. Everyone knows he doesn’t flop.
NBA Fans Explode After Russell Westbrook Fined While Shai and Luka Run Free
NBA fans didn’t let the hypocrisy surrounding Russ go unnoticed.
People have seen other players, such as Luka Dončić and SGA, escape similar penalties for the same kind of play, but the league handed Westbrook a fine. People are extremely disappointed by this decision, although a $ 2,000 fine is very little for Russ.
“Hahahaha this is one of the most disgusting things I’ve ever seen. Russ has one of the worst whistles in the league and almost never flops and he’s been fined. Anything for Shai? Luka?” one fan wrote.
A second fan noted, “Russ, who almost never flops, gets a flopping fine. Guys who make a career of flopping never get fined. Makes sense. Also why even fine players 2,000? That is meaningless.”
The third one penned, “So based off this we should fine Shai atleast half a million for flopping.”
A fourth claimed, “Shai? Luka? Nothing? This league is not serious lol, flopping the one guy who hasn’t flopped for 18 years and fine him.”
Another random X user added, “Fk this league, first the bs foul on russ is blazers and now this. The league has an agenda against russ and its so blatant.”
“This is complete bul—. Horrible call even worse to double down on it.. these zebras need to join a circus clowns 🤬 🤡,” another fan detailed the play.
Westbrook becomes the biggest name yet to be fined for flopping this season. That’s what surprised people. The league has overlooked many obvious flops, yet fined Westbrook for one questionable play.
The Kings host Dallas on Saturday. Not surprisingly, Russ’ fans will expect him to play with even more edge than usual.
