There is a new standard when it comes to the NBA triple-double, and its name is Russell Westbrook.
The Thunder superstar secured his 42nd triple-double of the 2016-17 campaign in Sunday’s 106-105 victory to the Nuggets, surpassing Oscar Robertson’s 55-year-old single-season record of 41. Westbrook won the game with a 36-foot 3-pointer at the buzzer to cap Oklahoma City’s rally from 13 points down over the final 4:34. The Thunder scored 18 during that span, with Westbrook scoring or assisting on all of them.
Westbrook accomplished the feat on an assist to Semaj Christon with 4:17 remaining in the Thunder’s contest at Denver, two nights after clinching a per-game triple-double average over the entire season. That mark had also not been accomplished since Robertson, a Hall-of-Famer and NBA champion, did it in 1961-62. Westbrook then proceeded to score Oklahoma City’s final 15 points, including the game-winner.
He finished Sunday’s game with 50 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists.
After Kevin Durant’s offseason departure to two-time Western Conference champion Golden State, many wondered what Westbrook could accomplish with the resulting opportunities. He has answered in historic fashion.
Westbrook finished Sunday’s game with 50 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists.
