NBA Rescinds Technical Foul on Russell Westbrook in Game Against Memphis

On November 22, 2024, the NBA announced the rescission of a technical foul called against Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook during their game against the Memphis Grizzlies. The call, which left Westbrook perplexed, was made after officials cited him for staring while running back on defense. However, the league later reviewed the incident and reversed the decision. «I knew it wasn’t a tech,» Westbrook told reporters. «You guys know if I’m gonna get a tech, I’m gonna earn it.» The rescission not only saved Westbrook a $2,000 fine but also rectified what could have marred a remarkable night for the 36-year-old point guard.

Westbrook came off the bench to deliver an impressive performance with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 14 assists, marking his 200th career triple-double. Discussing his achievement, Westbrook expressed his contentment with consistently achieving what others find extraordinary. «When you set a standard of doing something consistently, people don’t know how to react to it, and I love that,» he stated. «That’s the best part of the journey, just being able to do things that haven’t been done.»

In other developments within the NBA, Chris Paul of the San Antonio Spurs also turned in a notable performance. Despite missing key players, both the Nuggets and Spurs secured impressive victories in recent matches. The Spurs were without Victor Wembanyama due to a knee injury, yet Paul delivered 14 points and 11 assists in a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, improving their record to 1-1 in Group Play.

Paul’s contribution highlighted his adaptability and importance to the team as he increased his assist average from last season. This particular game underscored the continued relevance and prowess of experienced players like Westbrook and Paul, showing they can still be decisive when needed. Meanwhile, the Nuggets also coped with the absence of their star player due to personal reasons, but their veteran guard stepped up to secure the needed results for their team’s ongoing campaign.