Westbrook downplays Rubio matchup after Game 4 loss: 'Let's get past that'

Russell Westbrook vowed to stop Ricky Rubio and "shut that s--- off" in Game 4 after the Spanish point guard notched a triple-double against him in Game 3.

Mission failed.

Rubio once again got the better of the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player on Monday night as the Utah Jazz went up 3-1 in their first-round series with the Oklahoma City Thunder, winning 113-96 at Vivint Smart Home Arena.

After the Game 4 defeat, Westbrook was unsurprisingly keen to put talk of the Rubio matchup to bed.

"It's not about me and him," he said when questioned about defending Rubio, according to ESPN's Royce Young. "Let's get past that. We're done with that."

Westbrook certainly came out aggressively in his quest to keep Rubio at bay, yet it was that overzealous play that ultimately cost him. The Thunder guard was assessed four personal fouls in the opening two quarters alone, and when the second half got underway, he was forced to dial it back as Utah went on a 12-2 run to begin the third.

While Rubio's final stat line wasn't as impressive as his 21-point triple-double on Sunday, he still managed to contribute in all facets with 13 points, six rebounds, eight dimes, a steal, and a block in 34 minutes. The Jazz were also a +22 with him on the floor.

Westbrook, on the other hand, clanked more than his fair share of shots, converting 7-of-18 from the field and missing all three of his 3-point attempts. He did record a double-double of 23 points and 14 rebounds, but his three assists were his lowest of the entire 2017-18 campaign. He also turned the ball over five times, and was a -14 in 36 minutes.

A potential series-clinching Game 5 takes place Wednesday at Chesapeake Energy Arena.