Hands folded across his lap, towels and heating pads on his legs per usual, Russell Westbrook’s eyes bore holes in the television screen in the middle of the locker room. He was back in the Thunder lineup, and into his pregame routine that always includes a fully focused film study session on the opposition.
In the Thunder’s home opener of the 2018-19 season, Westbrook’s sights were also set on the Sacramento Kings, and how he could make his season debut against them a tone-setter. In the opening two minutes, Westbrook’s presence was felt in every aspect of the game.