Sometimes it's all about the small victories in life.

For Memphis Grizzlies head coach David Fizdale, the moral victory was keeping All-Star dynamo Russell Westbrook a rebound shy of a record-breaking 42nd triple-double of the season during a 103-100 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday.

After a relatively meek triple-double on Tuesday against the Milwaukee Bucks, Westbrook exploded for 45 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists against the Grizzlies — creating a 3.5 game difference and securing the sixth seed in the West.

“We held him from getting a triple-double, so take that, Russell Westbrook,” Fizdale joked post-game according to Erik Horne of The Oklahoman.

Article Continues Below
More Thunder News
Thunder veteran Alex Caruso next to the Larry O'Brien trophy with a picture of Alex Caruso in a Lakers jersey from 2020 next to a picture of Alex Caruso in an Oklahoma City Blue jersey from 2016 in the background with Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault in the background
Alex Caruso opens up on his ‘full-circle moment’ with ThunderJosue Pavon ·
Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) celebrates with Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylin Williams (6) during the fourth quarter of game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center
Thunder’s Jaylin Williams reacts to $24 million contract with GIF of himselfJosue Pavon ·
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams, left, Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, back, and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylin Williams, right, gather around Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt during the Oklahoma City Thunder Champions parade closing ceremony at Scissortail Park.
Thunder lock in another new contractLorenzo J Reyna ·
LeBron James with the logos of every NBA team in the background.
Ranking 5 best LeBron James trade destinations after Rich Paul’s bombshell Lakers quotesBailey Bassett ·
thunder, oklahoma city thunder, Nickeil Alexander-Walker
1 sneaky good player Oklahoma City Thunder must sign in 2025 NBA free agencyGarrett Kerman ·
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams, left, Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, back, and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylin Williams, right, gather around Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt during the Oklahoma City Thunder Champions parade closing ceremony at Scissortail Park.
Thunder hand out $24 million contract after tradePreston Byers ·

Westbrook was his usual competitive self, making sure his team came out on the winning end before everything else.

“I think obviously people come to see that, there were a lot of people here [in the media] to see that as well, but, you know, it happens like that,” Westbrook told reporters. “We got a lot of games left and, you know, we got the win and that's the most important part to me.”

The 6-foot-3 guard had a chance to get a record-clinching 10th rebound when the Grizzlies' Andrew Harrison attempted a three-pointer just after having missed one, with Westbrook in prime position to grab the long board if he missed — but Harrison made the three.

The MVP frontrunner will have four more chances to get the historic mark, starting with Friday's game against the Phoenix Suns. The Thunder will play their next three games on the road before closing out the season at home against the Denver Nuggets.