Adelman Praises Westbrook’s Role in Nuggets’ Playoff Push

Denver, CO — Interim coach David Adelman of the Denver Nuggets praised Russell Westbrook’s contributions during the playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers. As of May 1, 2025, Westbrook, known for his intense playing style, has been crucial for the Nuggets off the bench.

“Russ is Russ. He’s gonna play stubborn, wild, aggressive basketball. And that’s what we want,” Adelman said in an interview with The Athletic’s Law Murray, highlighting Westbrook’s unique impact on the team.

Despite not being at his peak performance from previous seasons, Westbrook continues to be a key figure in the Nuggets’ rotation. In their first-round playoff series, he averaged 13.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game over five games, shooting 39.6% from the field and 39.1% from beyond the arc.

Westbrook’s ability to make significant plays in critical moments has kept him in the spotlight. In Game 1, he hit a clutch 3-pointer that forced overtime, helping Denver secure the win. In Game 5, his 21-point performance was instrumental in the Nuggets’ victory.

The Nuggets face a pivotal Game 6 on May 3, in which they aim to defeat the Clippers and advance to the West Semifinals against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. “Whether he’s scoring or playmaking, we have no doubt in his ability to change the game,” Adelman added.