Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic, Michael Malone supportive of Russell Westbrook after late-game miscues

Russell Westbrook remained silent after a couple of late-game miscues that contributed to the Nuggets’ double-overtime loss to the Timberwolves on Tuesday, leaving the locker room before the media session began.

Despite Westbrook’s fairly pivotal role in the loss, Nuggets coach Michael Malone and teammates refrained from pointing fingers at the veteran guard, as relayed by Bennett Durando of The Denver Post.

With the Nuggets clinging to a one-point edge and 15 seconds remaining, Westbrook intercepted a wayward pass from Anthony Edwards and initiated a 2-on-1 break. His layup attempt, however, failed to drop, allowing Minnesota to secure the rebound and set up a final play.

Although Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s potential game-winning 3-pointer missed, Westbrook fouled him on the shot, sending Alexander-Walker to the line. He sank the decisive free throws with 0.1 seconds left, sealing Denver’s fate.

A FOUL ON THE FINAL THREE-POINT SHOT 😱

THIS SEQUENCE IS INSANE. pic.twitter.com/IBysO7j0Em

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 2, 2025

Malone defended Westbrook’s effort.

“He’s a competitor who hates losing and strives for perfection,” he said. “He’ll likely take this hard, but this was a team loss, not the fault of one individual. He’s a professional and a fighter, and he knows the locker room supports him.”

That sentiment echoed through comments from teammates. Nikola Jokic, who posted a remarkable 61-point triple-double, dismissed any need to address Westbrook’s final plays.

“It’s basketball,” Jokic told reporters. “He didn’t mean to foul. He had good intentions. It happens.”

Christian Braun added, “We’d trust him to take that shot every time. That’s not what cost us.”

Nevertheless, Troy Renck of The Denver Post argued that the sequence underscored Westbrook’s limitations in clutch moments. Renck highlighted Westbrook’s choice to attempt a layup rather than manage the clock as a sign of poor situational judgment, suggesting the Nuggets should restrict him to a reserve role when fully healthy.

Westbrook, who has started 35 of Denver’s 69 games this season and averages 28.1 minutes, contrasts with last year’s 22.5-minute bench role with the Clippers. The Nuggets’ net rating dips to -0.5 with him on the floor, compared to +9.1 when he sits, fueling Renck’s case.

Westbrook, in the first year of a two-year minimum deal with a $3.47 million player option for 2025-26, could opt for free agency if he declines it, leaving Denver with his Non-Bird rights. For now, the team stands by him despite the costly misstep.