Russell Westbrook stole the show for the Denver Nuggets in Saturday's 112-110 overtime victory over his former team, the Los Angeles Clippers, in Game 1.
The nine-time All-Star sealed Denver's win with a clutch defensive play late in the extra frame as he deflected an inbound pass to force a turnover.
"I know that play," Westbrook said, referring to his time with the Clippers, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne. "They have a dynamic roller with (Ivica Zubac), great cutters and guys that catch lobs. My job is to be able to be the low man and find ways to, excuse my language, f--k shit up."
Westbrook's defense shined throughout the contest, and it earned praise from Nuggets interim head coach David Adelman.
"Russ is Russ," Adelman said postgame. "Defensively he was absolutely incredible. He was playing free safety out there. I thought a lot of the reasons why the (Clippers' 20) turnovers happened, even if it wasn't him forcing it, just the way he was roaming around and impacting the game, it was great for us."
The 36-year-old also contributed 15 points in the victory, including a 3-pointer late in regulation to give the Nuggets a late lead. It wasn't the most efficient scoring effort, however, as he shot 5-of-17 from the field.
"Offensively, a couple of times I thought he attacked, maybe we could have pulled it out and executed, but that's what Russ does," Adelman said. "He's going to play in attack mode. I don't think he's going to change after 17 years. If he sees somebody in front of him one-on-one, he's going to attack, and he made an enormous three in the fourth."
The Nuggets know what to expect from Westbrook, and they respect his belief in himself.
"I think he has the most confidence of anyone in this matchup," Nikola Jokic said after scoring 29 points, 12 assists, and nine rebounds in the win.
The teams will meet for Game 2 on Monday.