'He tried to hurt me': Russell Westbrook calls out Warriors Zaza Pachulia for dirty play
- Russell Westbrook was not pleased with Zaza Pachulia after the Golden State Warriors' win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night.
- After Westbrook hit the floor going for a rebound, Pachulia fell on Westbrook, a move that many felt was intentional.
- After the game, Westbrook called Pachulia a dirty player, claiming the fall was "obviously" intentional and meant to hurt him.
Russell Westbrook was not happy with Zaza Pachulia after the Oklahoma City Thunder's game against the Golden State Warriors Saturday night.
Late in the third quarter, as the Warriors were pulling away, Westbrook drove hard to the basket. He missed, and collided with Nick Young of the Warriors midair as they went for the rebound, sending both players crashing to the floor.
Zaza Pachulia, who was standing nearby but had been mostly trailing the play, then somehow collapsed to the ground as well, landing on Westbrook's leg.
After the game, Westbrook did not hold back against Pachulia. When a reporter asked him about the contact, it led to an immediately fiery exchange. Per ESPN:
Westbrook: "What do you mean what happened? What'd you think what happened? Don't lie, don't lie, you saw the instant replay four times. What happened?"
Reporter: "He fell on your leg."
Westbrook: "Thank you. Don't ask me a dumb question you know the answer to."
When asked if Pachulia was a dirty player, Westbrook responded succinctly, "Yeah, for sure."
"Obviously, it was intentional," Westbrook said. "So don't ask me if it was intentional. Nobody touched him, he fell on my leg, tried to hurt me. But hey, that's how it goes."
You can watch some of Westbrook's comments below.
The Warriors would win the game 112-80. The two teams are due to meet one more time in the regular season, this time in Oklahoma City, and could potentially meet in the first round of the playoffs.
Westbrook is not one to forget those who have wronged him.