Russell Westbrook and D'Angelo Russell were two of many high-talent players that changed their postal address this past offseason. While a lot of them made their debuts for their new teams yesterday, on the NBA's 11-game slate, this duo had to wait a bit.
With just three games on the slate, Westbrook and Russell made their debuts in front of their home crowd.
MORE: Kawhi gets the better of AD in LA debuts
Let's take a look at how they fared:
Russell Westbrook, Houston Rockets
Milwaukee Bucks 117, Houston Rockets 111
Stat line: 24 points (7-17 FG, 3-7 3FG), 16 rebounds, seven assists, and two steals
Strong debut for @russwest44 🚀
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) October 25, 2019
🏀 24 PTS
💪 16 REB
➡️ 7 AST pic.twitter.com/9AuoNFR4CR
In his debut for the Rockets at Toyota Center, Russell Westbrook played like Russell Westbrook. Triple-doubles are what we most associate with the 2017 NBA MVP, and he was just three assists shy of recording his first with the franchise.
MORE: Takeaways from the Bucks' comeback win in Houston
Despite the Bucks outscoring the Rockets 39-24 in the fourth quarter, Westbrook scored 16 of the team's 24 points in the period. He had certainly found a rhythm, so much so, that he received 'Brodie chants' at the Toyota Center while he was at the free-throw line late in the game.
Harden dished out 14 assists on the night, but given his rough shooting night (2-13 FG's), the margin of defeat could have been far worse if Westbrook hadn't taken over and ensured it remained a game until the final buzzer.
D'Angelo Russell, Golden State Warriors
LA Clippers 141, Golden State Warriors 122
Stat line: 20 points (6-16 FG, 4-8 3FG) and eight assists.
#DubNation @Dloading scores 20 PTS and hands out 8 AST in his @warriors debut. #KiaTipOff19 pic.twitter.com/0JICkM3bTj
— NBA (@NBA) October 25, 2019
The debut certainly started well with Russell going on a 10-0 run for the Warriors' first points to bring back them into the game.
MORE: Kawhi, Clippers spoil Warriors' opener at Chase Center
However, after that, it was forgettable to a certain extent. That isn't necessarily Russell's fault because the game didn't go well for the Warriors as a whole.
