Russell Westbrook has always been a special player, and we're just beginning to see his impact realized, at least on an individual level.

Last season the Oklahoma City Thunder star started off the season without his career-long partner Kevin Durant and a gloomy season outlook looming ahead.

Along with a relatively new head coach, Billy Donovan, the Thunder set out to salvage what they could with major changes at the top end of the roster which weakened the team.

russell westbrook
Sue Ogrocki/The Associated Press

Thanks to Westbrook's leadership and out of this world play, the Thunder not only qualified for the Western Conference playoffs, but Westbrook went on to have the best season of his career, and carving a notch for himself in the record books by averaging 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game, and setting an NBA record with a total of 42 triple-doubles, making him the second player in NBA history to average a triple-double over the course of the season.

This season the highly energetic point guard has much more help with the additions of Paul George and Carmelo Anthony, and an opportunity to build on what the team accomplished last season.

Saturday night the Thunder matched up against the rebuilding Chicago Bulls who unsurprisingly set the stage for Westbrook to set a new record and it happened. Westbrook finished the game with 12 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 assists in 28 minutes as the Thunder blew out the Bulls, 101-69.

Related NewsArticle continues below
Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) reacts
Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s honest message to younger self after MVP win
Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault yells to his team during play against the Denver Nuggets in the second quarter during game seven of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center.
Mark Daigneault issues subtle Timberwolves warning to Thunder amid 2-0 series lead
russell westbrook, thunder
Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press

Including tonight's game, Westbrook has three triple-doubles this season so far, but this one is a special accomplishment in its own right.

Tonight's performance is now in the history books as Westbrook has now notched a triple-double against every team in the league except the Thunder, whom he happens to play for. He is officially the first and only player to accomplish this feat which is a worthy encore of last season.

Teammate Carmelo Anthony added his late objection to the notion that the Thunder weren't included on that list and claiming they weren't exempt from Westbrook's ferocity either.