Russell Westbrook is lining up for another milestone in an already landmark career.
With one more steal, Westbrook will move past Derek Harper and into sole possession of 15th place on the NBA’s all-time steals list. According to ESPN’s historical leaders page, both Westbrook and Harper are listed at 1,957 career steals, tied for 15th.
Russell Westbrook Making History
That additional steal could arrive at the most fitting moment — the very team where Westbrook rose to superstardom. He and the Sacramento Kings will face the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 28, the franchise that drafted him fourth overall in 2008 and where he earned the 2017 NBA MVP. That back-to-his-roots moment adds a layer of narrative to the record chase.
Westbrook’s defensive instinct has been a constant throughout his career. While he is better known for scoring and rebounding, his longevity and defensive hustle have quietly placed him among the league’s all-time leaders in steals. According to Basketball Reference, he has
Harper held that 15th-place mark for nearly two decades. He compiled his total over 16 seasons, with 1,199 games played.
Westbrook has logged 18 seasons and 1,240 games, showing his longevity is a major reason why he’ll continue to move up the leaderboards.
The timing couldn’t be more symbolic. Westbrook’s first significant NBA chapters unfolded in Oklahoma City. He transformed from promising rookie to MVP, triple-double machine, and franchise icon. Now, as he closes in on this defensive milestone, he’s doing so on a visit to the place where it all began.
Reaching this milestone would place Westbrook in rarified defensive company. Only fourteen players in NBA history have recorded more than 1,957 steals, and doing so as a guard known primarily for his offensive exploits highlights the full breadth of his game.
From here, the next step would be overtaking Allen Iverson (1,983 steals) for 14th place, which would be expected later this season, assuming Westbrook stays healthy.
While one more steal may not sound dramatic, the context makes it notable.
In a league where stat‐tracking often focuses on scoring and rebounds, defensive hustle numbers like steals can slip under the radar. Westbrook’s ascent up the steals list serves as a reminder of his all-around impact — the plays that don’t always headline but matter deeply.
For his career, Westbrook averages 1.6 steals per game, which places him No. 66 on the NBA’s all-time list, according to Basketball Reference. He’s never had a season where he finished with less than a steal per game. Even playing a smaller role for the Kings this season (21 minutes per game in three contests), Westbrook has still found ways to be productive. He’s averaging 10 points per game, and so far has recorded two steals total this season.
One more steal, and he’ll make more history.
As he prepares to step onto the court at the Thunder’s home floor, the narrative of one of Oklahoma City’s most iconic players chasing yet another piece of history is already playing. If the steal happens, Westbrook will officially pass Harper and capture No. 15 on the all-time list — a quiet achievement for a career built on noise.
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