Russell Westbrook Nearing 5,000 Career Field Goals Made
Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook needs just 10 field goals in Friday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers to surpass 5,000 makes in his career, per Basketball Reference.
The superstar point guard has made at least 10 shots in five of his last six games and has equaled or topped 10 makes in 30 contests already this season. When he does accomplish the feat, he will become just the 32nd player in NBA history to reach the milestone before turning 29, per Basketball Reference.
Westbrook has plenty of opportunities to move up the list of players who've done so as well. Chris Bosh is the lowest on the list with 5,016. Westbrook could surpass that total in the next few games. The ninth-year player out of UCLA doesn't turn 29 until November, allowing his total to accumulate partially into next season.
If he can continue at his current pace, Westbrook could conceivably pass Antoine Walker for the 17th-most points prior to turning 29 years of age. The only active players to accomplish the feat include LeBron James, former teammate Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Dirk Nowitzki and Chris Bosh. Westbrook should pass Bosh and could pass Nowitzki if he remains healthy.
Westbrook has averaged just over 10 field goals per game this season as the clear lead dog for Oklahoma City following Durant's offseason departure. He currently sits fourth on the franchise's all-time field-goals list, 922 behind Durant for third, per Basketball Reference.
His current contract with Oklahoma City expires following the 2018-19 season. Even if Westbrook decides to go elsewhere, he should surpass Durant (5,912) and Fred Brown (6,006) on the franchise list before doing so. Only Gary Payton—who played for the franchise when it was the Seattle SuperSonics—would top him (7,292). In the event he re-signs with the club, Westbrook is well on his way to breaking that record.
