Russel Westbrook’s Wife Targeted With Death Threat Email After Kings’ Defeat
Russel Westbrook’s wife, Nina Westbrook, revealed she received a threatening email after the Sacramento Kings’ 131-94 loss to the Orlando Magic. The message, allegedly from an angry bettor upset over Westbrook’s performance, highlights growing concerns about the negative impact of sports gambling on athletes and their families.
Threatening Email After Tough Loss
Following Sacramento’s heavy defeat, Russell Westbrook scored just five points in the game. Shortly afterward, his wife Nina shared a screenshot of a disturbing email sent to her.
The message included abusive language and wished harm upon the couple. Nina described such messages as “routine” and linked the hostility to the rise of sports betting culture.
The authenticity of the email has not been independently verified, and neither the Kings nor the NBA immediately commented on the matter.
Growing Concerns Over Sports Betting Abuse
Nina Westbrook, a licensed marriage and family therapist, said she is increasingly concerned about athlete safety as gambling expands across professional sports. She noted that threatening behavior toward players and their families appears to be one of the early consequences of increased sports betting access.
The NBA maintains official partnerships with major betting companies, including DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM.
A Wider Issue Across Sports
Online abuse linked to gambling has become increasingly common. According to an NCAA survey, 36% of Division I men’s basketball players reported experiencing betting-related harassment in 2025.
Several NBA players, including Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, have also spoken publicly about receiving threats tied to wagers.Russel Westbrook faced controversy after his wife received a death threat following the Kings’ loss, raising concerns about gambling-related abuse in the NBA.
Safety and Accountability
While Westbrook and the Kings returned to action after the All-Star break, the focus has shifted to athlete protection and the responsibility that comes with the rapid expansion of legalized sports gambling.
Nina Westbrook emphasized that gambling addiction can fuel harmful behavior and urged greater awareness of its impact on players and their families.
FAQs
She posted it to highlight the growing problem of gambling-related abuse directed at athletes and their families.
The Sacramento Kings lost 131-94 to the Orlando Magic, and Russell Westbrook scored five points.
At the time of reporting, neither the NBA nor the Kings issued an official statement.
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