With triple-double machine Nikola Jokic out on paternity go away, the Denver Nuggets leaned on the NBA’s biggest triple-doubler in historical past. They bought the win, and Russell Westbrook grew to become the primary participant to ever notch 200 triple-doubles.
Westbrook put up 12 factors, 10 rebounds and a surprising 14 assists off the bench as Denver defeated the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night time, 122-110. It is his first triple-double of the season and the two hundredth of his profession, the primary participant in NBA historical past to succeed in that mark.
Not solely is it Westbrook’s first triple-double of the season, however it’s his first double-digit rebound recreation and solely his second recreation with double-digit assists. He had one triple-double final season as nicely, a 16-point, 15-rebound and 15-assist effort towards the Phoenix Suns in April. However he is additionally 36 years previous and enjoying in his 18th season. Unless you’re LeBron James, placing up triple-doubles at that time in your profession is uncommon.
It hasn’t been an environment friendly season for Westbrook, who’s taking pictures 35.7 % from the sphere and averaging 2.6 turnovers for the Nuggets this 12 months. But when his taking pictures contact has light, his power has not. Westbrook nonetheless performs with a substantial amount of drive and enthusiasm. With the Nuggets missing in depth, particularly with Jokic and Aaron Gordon out, they want Westbrook to easily put up numbers — passing and rebounding that usually Jokic dominates.
Jokic is fourth all-time with 136 triple-doubles, nonetheless a great distance behind Westbrook. Oscar Robertson is second with 181 triple-doubles and is the one participant moreover Westbrook to common a triple-double for a full season. Westbrook has carried out it 4 occasions, from 2016-19 and once more in 2020-21.
That is a part of why Denver wished to convey Westbrook on this summer season. Whereas he could not resemble Jokic bodily, Westbrook and the Joker do stuff the stat sheet in an identical method. In any case, if he retains on his present tempo, the following participant to common a triple-double will likely be Jokic, who’s placing up 29.7 factors, 13.7 rebounds and 11.7 assists in 2024-25.
Westbrook has now logged extra profession triple-doubles than Magic Johnson and Larry Chicken mixed (200 to 197). Tuesday night time might have been Westbrook’s remaining triple-double as nicely, and it got here when the Nuggets sorely wanted it.
