Oklahoma City Thunder star Russell Westbrook is used to triple-doubles. After all, he has averaged triple-doubles over each of the last two seasons and is aiming to average one yet again this year. But his teammate, Paul George, as versatile as he is, is not as accustomed to achieving the feat as Westbrook.
On Tuesday night, Westbrook did his usual thing, posting 21 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists in a 120-111 Thunder win over the Portland Trial Blazers.
However, George also notched a triple-double of his own, racking up 47 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.
Westbrook, of course, realized George was within an assist of a triple-double late in the game, so the two players conspired to run a play specifically to get George the stat line.
George said it was cool to be on the other side of that for once:
Paul George said Russell Westbrook told him George was an assist away from his own triple-double, so they ran a play to try and get one: “It was cool to be on the other end of the triple-double.” pic.twitter.com/pRD644PzAL
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) February 12, 2019
As for whether or not Westbrook felt any pressure to help George in that spot? Not at all:
And here’s Westbrook on if he felt a little extra pressure to pay off the pass from George to get him the triple-double: “Nah, no pressure. When it’s time to do something for a teammate, your brother, it’s easy for me because I do that each and every night.” pic.twitter.com/SBUpI0TEdD
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) February 12, 2019
It was just the latest performance in what is becoming a monster season for the 28-year-old.
Paul George is averaging 28.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.3 steals over 36.2 minutes per game while shooting 45.4 percent from the floor, 41.3 percent from 3-point range and 83.6 percent from the free-throw line.
As a result, George was named to his fourth straight All-Star Game and is considered one of the top candidates for the MVP award in what has been, easily, the best season of his nine-year NBA career.
Paul George is in his second season with the Thunder after coming over in a trade with the Indiana Pacers during the summer of 2017.
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