Tensions flared off the court on Tuesday as Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon publicly slammed ESPN reporter Ramona Shelburne over her recent claims about a supposed rift involving Russell Westbrook in the Nuggets locker room. Gordon didn’t hold back, calling the article “completely arbitrary” and “pointless,” as he passionately defended his teammate.
Shelburne, a longtime NBA insider, published a piece on May 13 suggesting that Westbrook’s presence had created friction within the team. But that narrative didn’t sit well with the Nuggets—or the Westbrook family.
Aaron Gordon Breaks Silence Post-Game: “I Don’t Feel Like Talking About the Game”
Speaking during a post-game interview following Denver’s 112-105 loss to the Thunder, Gordon was asked about the team’s chances of winning back-to-back games. Instead, he redirected the conversation, aiming squarely at the controversial article.
“Absolutely, but we’ve got to start with the one at home,” he said. “But really, I don’t feel like talking about the game. Earlier, I caught wind of an article that came out about Russell Westbrook in our locker room after Game 2—which was a completely arbitrary article and pointless and unnecessary. By whoever that was put out.”
Gordon, who’s known for keeping his composure, showed a rare flash of frustration as he continued to praise Westbrook’s leadership and camaraderie:
“Russ is one of the most talented basketball players who has ever played the game. Quite frankly, he’s been great for us all year long. We’re brothers—we spend more time with each other than we do with our own families.”
“Volatile”? Nina Westbrook Goes Off: “You Should Be Ashamed”
It wasn’t just Gordon who came to Westbrook’s defense. The strongest rebuttal came from Russ’s wife, Nina Westbrook, who launched a scathing critique of Shelburne on Instagram.
The registered therapist posted a screenshot of the article’s headline and blasted the reporter in a no-holds-barred message:
“‘VOLATILE’?? You should be ashamed for so many reasons. I’ll let you decipher them.”
And she didn’t stop there.
“Dirty work, Ramona. How could you share and spread so many lies randomly, for no reason, and with so much conviction? You’re using his name for clickbait during the playoffs, which is ridiculous. Trust me, I know the facts about literally everything.”
“Normally, I let you guys tell your silly lies in peace. Enough already. Stop with the lies. #GoNuggets.”
The Fallout from Shelburne’s Article
Shelburne’s article, which painted Westbrook as the “most volatile player in the NBA” and likened him to a “human pros and cons list,” clearly struck a nerve. At a time when team unity is crucial for a playoff push, the implication of locker room discord feels not only mistimed—but misinformed, according to the team.
Neither Shelburne nor ESPN has issued a response to the backlash as of yet.
Nuggets Look to Regroup Amid Distraction
With the series shifting back to Colorado, the Nuggets are facing pressure both on and off the court. The drama surrounding Westbrook may have temporarily stolen the headlines, but the team will be laser-focused on bouncing back in front of their home fans.
Still, Gordon’s impassioned defense and Nina Westbrook’s fierce loyalty make one thing clear: Russell Westbrook may be polarizing to the media, but within the Nuggets locker room, he’s family.