James Harden and Trae Young filled the stat sheet Wednesday night and set an NBA record: The two became the first opposing players to post 40-point triple-doubles in the same game, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Harden tallied 41 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in the Houston Rockets’ 122-115 victory over the Hawks in Atlanta. Young countered with 42 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists.
Obviously, 40-point triple-doubles are rare, but prolific scorer Harden now has 15 in his career and trails only the legendary Oscar Robertson (22) for the most in NBA history.
| Player | Triple-doubles |
|---|---|
| Oscar Robertson | 22 |
| James Harden | 15 |
| Russell Westbrook | 12 |
| Wilt Chamberlain | 7 |
| LeBron James | 6 |
It was Harden’s second 40-point triple-double in a row, and his second triple-double of the season. He posted 44 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in the Rockets’ win over the 76ers Friday night. Young also has two triple-doubles this season and three in his career.
Although the Hawks are the worst team in the Eastern Conference and 3-11 vs. the West this season, Young continues to have a stellar season. He has six 40-point games this season — the most in the East and the most by an Atlanta player since Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins logged eight of them in 1992-93.
In netting his triple-double on Wednesday, Young became one of the youngest players ever to have a 40-point triple-double.
| Player (Team) Date | Age (Years-Days) | |
|---|---|---|
| LeBron James (Cavs) | April 9, 2005 | 20-100 |
| Luka Doncic (Mavs) | Nov. 18, 2019 | 20-263 |
| Luka Doncic (Mavs) | Dec. 12, 2019 | 20-287 |
| LeBron James (Cavs) | Feb. 15, 2006 | 21-047 |
| Trae Young (Hawks) | Jan. 8, 2020 | 21-111 |
Among active players, Russell Westbrook has recorded 12 40-point triple-doubles and LeBron James has logged six. Wilt Chamberlain managed the feat 12 times.
The Beard and Ice Trae know how to fill up the stat sheet pic.twitter.com/GnSvur0Ett
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 9, 2020
