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Russell Westbrook spoke to the media following the Sacramento Kings’ loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night, marking the team’s 50th loss in a season that gave them the worst record in the NBA.
Westbrook had 19 points and 10 assists for the Kings in the 133-123 loss that handed Sacramento its ninth straight home loss. Heading into his postgame press conference, it was clear the NBA veteran expected to field questions about the team’s abysmal 14-50 record.
Sacramento Kings guard Russell Westbrook (18) reacts after making a three-pointer against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, California, March 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall) (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
But it was Westbrook who asked the majority of the questions, turning the heat on the media that he accused of fomenting “a bunch of things that aren’t accurate.”
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“I have a lot of answers and you guys are still talking,” Westbrook said after being asked how the team would handle the final 19 games of the season. “You have a lot of opinions about how we do what we do.”
Westbrook then called on members of the media at random, choosing one and asking them: “You make a lot of statements, and general statements, without context – so where do you get your context from?” Are you in practice? Are you at our movie screening? Are you anywhere in the building?
The reporter answered Westbrook’s questions, but when he said he knew Westbrook, the NBA player’s tirade continued.
Sacramento Kings guard Russell Westbrook dribbles against the Houston Rockets during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Houston, Texas, February 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith) (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
“No, you don’t know me. You don’t know me, you don’t know me. But you make a lot of comments like you know me.”
“You are silent today, but you have a lot of comments about how the matches are going, after the match, what we are doing, what we should be doing, how we should be doing it – I am confused,” he continued.
Members of the media responded, calling their coverage “fair.” Another reporter, when interviewed, said it was “the worst season I’ve seen” but didn’t blame Westbrook for the Kings’ struggles.
“Your guys’ job is to talk about the game, what’s going on in the game, not to stir up a bunch of things — I don’t want to swear here because I don’t want to get fined — but to stir up a bunch of things that aren’t accurate and that’s my problem,” he said, raising issues with recent coverage of the Kings’ season.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III (25) hangs on the rim after ducking the ball against the Sacramento Kings during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, California, March 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall) (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
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“As the leader of this team, it’s my job to speak for the guys in the locker room,” he added. “I ask you to respect what we do and we respect what you do.”
Westbrook answered another question about the game before the press conference ended.
With the Kings out of the playoffs, they will return to the court on Sunday when they host the Chicago Bulls.
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