Magic Johnson praises Russell Westbrook upon his retirement from NBA

On August 13, 2026, Magic Johnson congratulated Russell Westbrook on his retirement from the NBA via a post on X. Johnson described Westbrook as the most athletic point guard in history and acknowledged his contributions to the game, including being the all-time leader in regular season triple-doubles. Johnson reflected on his critical comments about Westbrook during his earlier career, expressing admiration for Westbrook's passion for the game and philanthropic efforts in Los Angeles. Johnson emphasized that Westbrook always gave his all on the court, marking a notable shift in his perspective on the player after Westbrook's impressive career.

• 6:16 AMYahoo Sports — Lakers’ Magic Johnson Makes Honest Russell Westbrook Admission After Past Criticism