Russell Westbrook always plays hard no matter who the opponents are but in their last two assignments, he appeared to be a little extra motivated. That extra motivation led to rare back to back wins for the Sacramento Kings.
People saw how different his energy was against the Lakers.
RUSSELL WESTBROOK OWNS THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS! 😏#LightTheBeam pic.twitter.com/M06HCaHdBw
— HiMyNameIsJC 🫡 (@HiMyNameIsJC_) January 13, 2026
Lakers fans kept saying Westbrook is out of the league in the off season, until he came back and dangled his nuts on em https://t.co/Coae053X0V
— Russ’ TD ⚡ (@RussFcb) January 13, 2026
Russell Westbrook is COOKING the Lakers 🍿
Russ in 24 minutes:
19 points
7/12 FG (58%)
3/5 3PT (60%)
3 rebounds
4 assists
1 steal
73.8 TS%
+/- +9
Kings up 15Brodie HOOPING in year 18 ✅ pic.twitter.com/USaYh6HtEv
— Beastbrook (@Beastbr00k0) January 13, 2026
The Kings’ seven-game home stand looks immaculate so far as they recorded their second straight win, this time over the Los Angeles Lakers, 124-112. This victory is a follow up to their win over the Houston Rockets 24 hours before.
DeMar Derozan scored 32 points in the win while Malik Monk was sensational from the bench with his 26 points, 7 out of 9 from the three.
The Lakers loss spoiled Luka Doncic’s all around game of 42 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, and four steals.
Russell Westbrook loves beating ex teams
Westbrook was efficient in both games, scoring above 50 percent and averaging 18.5 points and 8.5 assists. Those teams happen to be his former teams and he admits that beating them is different for him.
“I play the same way every night, but I do enjoy beating teams that I was formerly at, for different reasons,” he said when asked about how he has more energy against former teams.
Russell Westbrook after beating the Rockets and Lakers back to back:
“I play the same way every night, but I do enjoy beating teams that I was formerly at, for different reasons” pic.twitter.com/GPMCUc9AHz
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) January 13, 2026
In the end, he said it is all about enjoying the game, his mantra since the start of the season.
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