Russell Westbrook’s wife Nina has a special message after Thunder make franchise-changing decision about his No. 0 jersey

The Oklahoma City Thunder will retire Russell Westbrook’s No. 0 jersey on Feb. 7, 2027, when they host the Knicks. General manager Sam Presti announced it Monday at the team’s Day One Luncheon, and Westbrook wiped away tears on stage as the news landed. The club followed with a video montage of the Oklahoma City years. His wife, Nina, was among those who reacted online, along with former teammates. The honor arrives a few months after the 18-year veteran announced his retirement in August.Nina reacts as Thunder set date to retire Russell Westbrook’s No. 0Nina posted her message in the comments under the Thunder’s Instagram announcement. “Zero my hero,” she wrote, followed by a heart. Her comment came after her husband heard the news live from the stage.Westbrook will be the second player in Thunder history to have a number retired, after Nick Collison, whose No. 4 went up in 2019. Oklahoma City drafted the nine-time All-Star in the first round in 2008, and he spent 11 of his 18 seasons there.Carmelo Anthony, Westbrook’s former teammate in Oklahoma City, kept his response brief, writing, “Deserved.”Westbrook’s road out of Oklahoma City and back to the raftersThe Thunder traded Westbrook to Houston ahead of the 2019-20 season as the team rebuilt. Washington, the Lakers, the Clippers, the Nuggets and the Kings followed. He was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021 and retired this offseason with nine All-Star nods.Oklahoma City is where his numbers peaked. Alongside Kevin Durant, he helped turn a young roster into one of the league’s best teams, and when Durant left in free agency after 2015-16, Westbrook’s role grew. In 2016-17 he won MVP while averaging 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists, the first full-season triple-double average since Oscar Robertson. He left as the franchise’s all-time leading scorer with 18,859 points.Presti tied the decision to more than stats. “Many players have an impact, but only great players leave a legacy,” he said in a statement. The general manager said Westbrook built that legacy on the court and in the community, and that people across Oklahoma see him as family.Speaking to reporters, Westbrook called the news “a true blessing.” He said he never imagined growing up that he would reach the NBA, and that a retired jersey reflects the time, effort and energy he put into the game. He said he is looking forward to the night.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.