Russell Westbrook has been a pest on defense as of late.

He has at least five steals in three consecutive games after he recorded six against the Clippers on Saturday, five versus the Bulls on Monday and six again on Wednesday against the Kings.

He is the first player this season to accomplish that feat.

“Just using my hands, my instincts and just defending,” Westbrook said. “I feel like I can guard any position, anytime and that’s what I do.”

"I feel like I can guard any position, anytime." Russ following OKC's big win in Sactown and his 112th triple-double.#ThunderUp #OKCvsSAC pic.twitter.com/SDlaZ5Brv0 — FOX Sports Oklahoma (@FOXSportsOK) December 20, 2018

Westbrook is averaging a career-high 2.7 steals per game, which currently leads the NBA among all players. Paul George is fourth in steals this season and has noticed a jump from Westbrook on defense.

“If anything, I see a big jump defensively in him where he’s taking those matchups and he’s wanting those matchups and defensively he is getting after guys,” George said.

Of course, Westbrook is still far from being a perfect defender but it is clear that when he is engaged on the defensive end of the floor the Thunder are going to be tough to beat.