Less than eight minutes into the first quarter Westbrook found himself next to Clippers center Ivica Zubac on lane while DeAndre Jordan lined up a free throw. Feeling energetic, the Nuggets veteran warned his much taller and larger opponent that he'd better box out.

This is Russell Westbrook being his best Russell Westbrook self in the Nuggets' huge win over the Clippers on Wednesday night.

It’s far enough from the parts of Los Angeles that are being destroyed by wildfires, but the devastation still hits close to home. Westbrook said his immediate family is safe, but he knows plenty of others who aren’t as fortunate.