SACRAMENTO – It seems almost every time an NBA discussion involves Stephen Curry or LeBron James, inevitably their age gets brought up. Seems reasonable enough considering what the two superstars are doing at this stage of their respective careers.

At 37 years old and in his first season with the Kings, Russell Westbrook also is showing he still can get it done at a high level, though his age is rarely brought up.

Retirement is not something the nine-time NBA All-Star is even remotely considering.

“I just take it day by day,” Westbrook said after Sacramento’s 113-107 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday at Golden 1 Center. “I make sure I take care of my body and make sure I’m able to play at a high level. And then I’ll keep going until I feel like I had enough.”

Clearly Westbrook hasn’t had enough.

Now in his 18th NBA season, Westbrook is doing the same things he’s always done. The Kings are his seventh team in eight seasons, and he’s playing at times like he’s still in his 20s.

Against the Mavericks, Westbrook slipped past the great Magic Johnson into seventh place on the NBA career assist list and inched closer to moving past Dominique Wilkins on the all-time scoring list.

Whenever he does decide to call it quits, Westbrook is guaranteed an invitation into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. That’s unquestioned.

Until then, though, the mercurial point guard wants to keep cooking like he always has.

Westbrook grew up watching Johnson work his own magic on the court, so to pass the Hall of Famer in any statistical category was kind of mind-boggling.

“Before I speak and say anything, I’m truly blessed and thankful to the man above for just allowing me and gifting me with the time to go out and play basketball,” Westbrook said. “As for passing Magic … it’s an honor. Magic is one of the greats. I’m grateful to be able to pass him just because he’s such a legend in so many different ways.”

Ironically, Westbrook as become a legend in a sport that wasn’t even his first love.

“I grew up wanting to play football,” Westbrook said. “I grew up playing football, taking a bus, going to the park, playing just being a normal kid in the city. And things happened so fast to me. I always knew if given the opportunity to be able to be somebody, I would take full advantage of it. That’s why every time I step on the floor, I don’t take anything for granted. I don’t take plays or anything for granted.

“This was given to me, not just for basketball, but to use as a platform to be able to help and inspire other people. So I hope the way I play the game, I hope the way people see it be competing. Yes, the records are all great, but I hope it inspires other people, people across the world, to do great things in their lives as well.”

Westbrook clearly is comfortable in the state capital. He averaged 14.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 7.2 assists with four triple-doubles in Sacramento’s first 30 games.

Against the Mavericks, he was in vintage form with 21 points, five rebounds and nine assists. Westbrook also recorded the 2,000th steal of his career, one of 14 players in NBA history to reach that plateau.

Kings coach Doug Christie didn’t sound very surprised considering the work ethic that Westbrook has shown during his time in Sacramento.

“He gets in, he gets his work when you see him at practice, but he also comes back at nighttime,” Christie said. “That’s how you get to be that great. He truly believes in himself. He works his butt off, on his game and on his body. He watches film like he does.

“He’s a pro. He wants to win more than anything, and that’s where you see that nastiness at and I’m all for it. His ability to go out on a night-to-night basis and compete the way that he does just says so much about him as a professional. And I think that his teammates also really, really respect that.”

Westbrook owns the record for most triple-doubles – currently with 207, with the great Oscar Robertson next with 181 – and is getting closer to moving ahead of the Big O as the NBA’s top-scoring point guard. Robertson has the top spot with 26,710 while Westbrook is closing in quickly with 26,659.

There’s a good chance that record will be broken this season. If not, Christie is all in favor for bringing Westbrook back for another run for the 2026-27 NBA season.

“I’m a big fan,” Christie said. “I hope that he’s here because I think everything that he stands for, how he goes about his business, for our young players, as we build this thing out, is super, super important. The competitiveness, the anger after a loss … the things that they see with him are really good, so it’s an honor and a blessing to have him.”

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