Move over Oscar Robertson. Russell Westbrook is the NBA’s new triple-double standard.
The Washington Wizards star set a career record with his 182nd triple-double, amassing 28 points, 21 assists and 13 rebounds in a 125-124 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Monday. Westbrook tied Robertson’s record of 181 with 33 points, 19 rebounds and 15 assists in a win over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday.
Westbrook eclipsed the record when he grabbed his 10th rebound with 8:30 remaining in the fourth quarter. The moment came during a 19-1 run that cut Atlanta’s lead from 19 to one. He already had 21 points and 16 assists. The Atlanta crowd responded to Westbrook’s history-making rebound with chants of “Russell.”
Westbrook missed a potential game-winning 3-pointer in the final seconds. Afterward, he sought out the game ball from officiating crew chief Tom Washington before accepting congratulations from his peers.
Robertson’s record stood for nearly 50 years from the final triple-double of his 14-year career on March 24, 1974. Westbrook is in the 13th season of his career and has played 100 fewer games than Robertson.
Magic Johnson’s 138 career triple-doubles are third on the all-time list. No other active player has reached the century mark. Injured Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is sitting on 99 career triple-doubles.
