Michael Jordan was visibly stunned and had to leave the arena after watching wild Russell Westbrook moment during NBA game

Michael Jordan was visibly stunned by seeing what Russell Westbrook did for the Los Angeles Lakers against his Charlotte Hornets and had to LEAVE the arena imminently.

Years after retiring from his NBA, the six-time champion became financially involved in the Hornets and was regularly courtside at games.

His Airness bought the team in 2010 for $275 million and brought back the Hornets name, before making a substantial profit in selling the franchise but remaining a minority owner.

In one instance against the Lakers at the Staples Center, Jordan watched from a hospitality suite as the Hornets claimed a 117-114 win.

LeBron James and Anthony Davis were out for the hosts but Westbrook stepped up to the mark with 35 points - including 16 in the final quarter.

At one point the Lakers were 20 points behind but Westbrook took it upon himself to bring them back into the game, scoring back to back three-pointers in stunning fashion.

Jordan was astonished by what he saw and the cameras picked up his priceless reaction. He had a look of disbelief on his face and quickly walked off as if he was leaving - though some joked he was going to lace up his sneakers and get on the court.

The consecutive three-pointers got Lakers well back in the game and Westbrook went for another right at the death. Instead of taking the game to overtime Westbrook tried to steal the win but the ball bounced off the rim and the rebound was collected by P.J Washington

"I had just made two (3-pointers) just before that, so I will live and die with that one,'' Westbrook said after the narrow loss.

Jordan's glowing praise for Westbrook

Jordan inducted Westbrook into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and spoke glowingly about the point-guard in the introduction, where he noted his passion and intensity.

The Chicago Bulls icon doesn't always give out compliments but he did just that to Westbrook when he said he the 36-year-old reminded him of himself.

"I am truly a fan of his," Jordan said about the two-time NBA scoring champion.

"When I watch him play I see a lot of resemblance of his passion for the game of basketball, the way I played the game of basketball."