The former Oklahoma City star received cheers and applause during Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Thunder. While Westbrook, who now plays for the Denver Nuggets, has faced the Thunder at the Paycom Center numerous times, this is the first time he has played in Oklahoma City during the playoffs.

Russell Westbrook is force. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is finesse. Westbrook is chaos. Gilgeous-Alexander is craft.

Westbrook has matched up against the Thunder in the playoffs before. After departing from the franchise, the energetic star was a member of the Houston Rockets team that took down Oklahoma City in the 2020 bubble. The big difference there, of course, would be the lack of Thunder fans in the crowd.