The city of Los Angeles and the hip hop community at large continues to uphold the legacy of Nipsey Hussle in a multitude of heartfelt ways. From petitioning to have an intersection renamed after the rapper, who was shot and killed on Sunday (March 31), to recalling countless examples of how he inspired others, Nipsey’s influence is being continuously felt across the nation.
Tuesday night (April 2), hours after police revealed they detained primary murder suspect Eric Holder, L.A. native Russell Westbrook turned to his friend’s music and memory as motivation on the basketball court. Prior to his team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, taking on the Los Angeles Lakers, he donned a blue shirt reading Crenshaw on the front, a nod to the fallen rapper’s mixtape of the same name and set the intention to make his friend proud.
During the game, he landed the second 20-20-20 game in NBA history, scoring 20 points, 20 rebounds and 21 assists. After scoring the rare triple-double, he declared that he made history in honor of Nipsey. Statistically, the performance adds up to 60, a fitting reference to the Rollin’ 60s gang that Nipsey was associated with.
“Grateful to play the game, but that wasn’t for me, man,” he shared with reporters after OKC took home a 119-103 win. “That was for my bro, man. That was for Nipsey. Rest in peace to Nipsey, man. I’m just thankful to go out there and compete at a high level, man. Thankful to have these teammates. Thankful and humbled to go out there and play the game I love.”
While Westbrook has come close to landing a triple-double in the past, he successfully channeled Nipsey’s motivational spirit to accomplish the impressive feat.
“Just an unbelievable moment that I definitely won’t take for granted, won’t let pass by,” he added. “Just completely humbled and thankful to go out and play, man. I don’t even know what to say, how to put it into words, honestly. I just do what I can, honestly.”
Take a look at Russ Westbrook dedicating his performance on the court to Nipsey Hussle, as well as see some reactions from fans, in the posts below.