FACT CHECK: Did Russell Westbrook Point the Middle Finger at LeBron James After Making a Big Shot in His Face?

Russell Westbrook is an emotional guy. In fact, some might even say he plays far better when he lets himself be emotional. After all, he is just one of those players who has the mentality of the Incredible Hulk. The angrier he gets during his craft, the stronger he seems to get. And doing that to a confident Russ is never a good idea.

But that’s the thing. During his time with the Lakers, the man had been sapped of all his confidence. Frankly, it was something that needs to be blamed on the head coach and the front office. After all, how can you make an athlete play to their weaknesses, yet expect them to be a superstar-level player? Even 3-year-olds could tell you something is fishy about that tactic.

As you’d expect in that situation, Westbrook didn’t play all that great, and would later even be ostracized by LeBron James and the gang, before being traded to the Clippers. So, when the two played against each other, there was plenty of back and forth during the game.

However, how far did it really get? Were there any fingers directly pointed here? And if so, which finger was it, and what was going on here?

 

No, of course, Russell Westbrook didn’t point his middle finger at LeBron James

Throwing up the finger in the middle of an NBA game nowadays will probably get you a massive fine. After all, the league is branding itself as fun for the whole family. And how could it possibly be that way if the players are throwing very discernible curses at each other?

No, the players have to be a lot more subtle about that kind of thing. So, really this was nothing but a bit of a troll job going out of control, due to this tweet right here.

LeBron got more money than u Russ pic.twitter.com/xUyzfjyqUt

— (@HoodiiBron) April 8, 2023

Despite us knowing that Russell Westbrook didn’t actually point his middle finger though, this little incident still looks a bit suspect. So, let’s clear up what was really going on here too.

 

Russell Westbrook simply made a shot

Russell Westbrook had quite the night against the Lakers. In 21 minutes, the man recorded 14 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block, while shooting 6 of 12 from the field (50%), and 2 of 4 from three (50%).

Westbrook drills the jumper and points at Lebron. pic.twitter.com/z13UmcdURO

— hoops bot (@hoops_bot) April 6, 2023

A very efficient night, something he let LeBron James know after every single shot he made. So, this just seems to be a photoshop job of the three fingers he put up to indicate a three he made. In real life though, the man did actually make three on James, but he just pointed three fingers up at him, not just the one, far more offensive one.