Watch: Russell Westbrook and ex-OKC teammate reunite with warm embrace at Sparks vs Aces WNBA Game
A heartwarming moment occurred during Friday's LA Sparks and Las Vegas Aces game when Russell Westbrook shared a moment with his former OKC Thunder teammate Victor Oladipo on the sidelines.
Oladipo was the second-leading scorer for the Thunder during Russell Westbrook’s MVP season in 2016-17. He averaged 15.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists in his lone year with the Thunder.
Watch the ex-teammates' interaction below:
Both players' careers have seen significant changes since their time with the Thunder.
Russell Westbrook was traded to the Houston Rockets, then to the Washington Wizards, followed by the LA Lakers, who traded him to the Utah Jazz.
After being waived by the Jazz, he has been playing for the LA Clippers.
Oladipo, after being traded for Paul George, had a breakout year with the Indiana Pacers and became an All-Star in his first two seasons with the team.
However, injuries have plagued his career, preventing him from playing at least 50 games in a season since then. He has had stints with the Rockets and most recently with the Miami Heat.
Victor Oladipo credits Russell Westbrook for his breakout year with the Indiana Pacers
Oladipo emerged as a star after being traded along with Domantas Sabonis for Paul George. In his first season with the Pacers, he averaged 23.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.4 steals per game.
Reflecting on his transition to being the primary option after playing alongside Westbrook, he said it was a significant adjustment but highlighted the valuable lessons he learned from Westbrook.
“It was definitely something I had to adjust to,” Oladipo said in 2017. “I wouldn’t say it was hard, but it was something new for me.
“I learned so much from Russ,” he added. “Just his mindset, how relentless he is, those are things I’ve definitely taken with me.”
The trade involving Oladipo and Sabonis for Paul George marked the beginning of a new era in OKC.
After two seasons with George, the Thunder traded him to the LA Clippers for a substantial haul of assets, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the draft pick that became Jalen Williams.
This reset allowed the Thunder to draft Chet Holmgren with the No. 2 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
This season, the Thunder are poised for contention. After finishing with the best record in the Western Conference last season, they have strengthened their lineup with solid bench additions in Alex Caruso, added after trading away Josh Giddey, and Isaiah Hartenstein, who was picked up in free agency.