Washington Wizards superstar Russell Westbrook had just broken Oscar Robertson's record for most career triple-doubles with a total of 182.
Right behind the 6-foot-3 point guard are some of the greatest all-around players of all time in Robertson (181), Magic Johnson (138), and Jason Kidd (107).
To celebrate the momentous occasion, let’s look back at the top 10 Russell Westbrook triple-doubles of all time:
10. Stats: 18 points, 11 rebounds, 14 assists
Date: March 22, 2017
Game Result: 122-97 win vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Perhaps this isn’t the favorite of many but this was historic in nature despite the low number of points. It was dubbed the “Perfect Triple-Double” because of Westbrook’s shooting.
In this game, he made 6-of-6 field goals and 6-of-6 free throws. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, “no NBA player previously has had a triple-double without missing a shot attempt or free throw.”
“It’s amazing, especially for a point guard, because he’s shooting threes, twos, inside, outside,” said former teammate Enes Kanter. “For a point guard, he’s doing an unbelievable job, playing his game, having fun.”
In this game, Westbrook decided not to shoot a three-pointer but it wasn’t because he wanted to have a perfect field goal percentage. He even said that he didn’t know that he was perfect from the field.
“I was just trying to play, trying to take my time,” Westbrook said, via ESPN. “I’ve been watching some film, trying to pick my spots better. I found ways to continue to get my teammates involved throughout the game and it just happened that way.”
9. Stats: 27 points, 10 rebounds, 16 assists
Date: May 3, 2014
Game Result: 120-109 win vs. Memphis Grizzlies Game 7
The best players thrive in a Game 7 but rarely do they get a triple-double in the process. Westbrook did and in this playoff game, he and former teammate Durant showed that they could co-exist as co-alpha dogs with the latter scoring 33 points to lead the team in scoring.
Westbrook’s 16 assists tied the franchise playoff record set by Nate McMillan set in 1987 when the team was still known as the Seattle Supersonics. He was aggressive but shot the ball well, making 10 of 16 field goals while taking and making his two three-pointers.
“I think he chose his spots very well tonight, getting everybody involved, rebounding the basketball,” Durant said, “but when we needed a basket, he was aggressive enough to get to the rim and make his pull-up jump shot. He just played a full game tonight.”
8. Stats: 26 points, 22 assists, 11 rebounds
Date: May 3, 2021
Game Result: 154-131 win vs. Indiana Pacers
While the scoring total did not stand out, other factors from Westbrook's memorable night are enough to put this stat line on the list. The Wizards guard recorded the third 20-rebound, 20-assist game in NBA history, but even more impressive is the fact that he owns two of those three instances—Wilt Chamberlain was the other one.
It also marked his career-high in rebounds while tallying his personal best and franchise record in assists.
7. Stats: 21 points, 20 rebounds, 21 assists
Date: Apr. 2, 2019
Game Result: 119-103 win vs. Los Angeles Lakers
This was an emotional one for Russell Westbrook as it went beyond the stat sheet in terms of significance. The then-Thunder superstar pulled off the feat—last accomplished 51 years prior—while he was mourning the death of rapper Nipsey Hussle.
Historic night for Russell Westbrook.
20 points // 20 rebounds // 21 assists pic.twitter.com/T3tVWiOIvK— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) April 3, 2019
6. Stats: 33 points, 19 rebounds, 15 assists
Date: May 8, 2021
Game Result: 133-132 win vs. Indiana Pacers
Westbrook matched Oscar Robertson's all-time triple-double record in thrilling fashion. Not only did the former MVP stuff the stat sheet, but he also played the role of hero in crunch time. Russell Westbrook nailed the go-ahead free throws in the dying seconds and had the game-saving block to seal the win for Washington.
5. Stats 49 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists
Date: March 4, 2015
Game Result: 123-118 OT win vs Philadelphia 76ers
Westbrook had his fourth straight triple-double and delivered in the clutch in overtime, scoring 10 points in the extra period to finish off the Sixers. He wore a mask to protect his face due to a right cheek fracture that he suffered earlier versus Portland.
The game took on greater meaning after Westbrook “became the first player since Michael Jordan in 1989 to have four consecutive triple-doubles, according to STATS.com, and the first since Jordan that year to have back-to-back triple-doubles with at least 40 points. It was the most points by any player with a triple-double since Larry Bird also scored 49 in 1992.”
“It's definitely a blessing,” Westbrook said, “but more importantly, I think it's important that we're winning.”
Then-Sixers shooting guard Jason Richardson was very much impressed.
“It's amazing watching him play,” Richardson said. “You've got to take your hats off to this guy. He takes no plays off. He plays hard on both ends of the court. He rebounds. It's amazing to see a guy who has that much passion about winning.”
4. Stats: 51 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists
Date: Oct. 28, 2016
The result: 113-110 OT win vs. Phoenix Suns
This was Westbrook’s first 50-point triple-double and the NBA’s first since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar accomplished the feat in 1975.
“You've got to want to win,” he said. “Very simple. When you want to win, you don't think about being tired. To me, being tired is a mind thing. It's in your mind. You've got to go out there and compete at a high level and leave it on the floor.”
Even though he shot a terrible 17-of-44 from the field, Westbrook made up for it by making 15-of-20 free throws. In fact, the Thunder needed every bit they could squeeze out of him to win the game. He scored 23 points in the third quarter alone.
“That's what he does,” Suns guard Devin Booker said. “He is an aggressive scorer. One of the best players in the league. We knew that coming in here.”
Without Durant for the first time in its history, the Thunder relied heavily on Westbrook to win and to show Oklahoma City fans that he was going to make this season memorable.
3. Stats: 57 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists
Date: March 29, 2017
Game Result: 114-106 OT win vs. Orlando Magic
The 57 was the most points scored in a triple-double until the Houston Rockets’ James Harden eclipsed it this season when he scored 60. Westbrook was phenomenal in this game, making 21-of-40 field goals, and 6-of-15 three-pointers.
Russell Westbrook presided over the Thunder’s largest comeback in franchise history, overcoming a 21-point deficit in the second half to tie the game in regulation before winning in overtime.
Sportskeeda’s Filosofiser narrated how big Westbrook was in the fourth quarter to send the game to an extra session.
“With 14 seconds left, Nikola Vucevic missed his second free throw from the line keeping the Magic lead at 102-99. Russ grabbed the rebound, went brought the ball up the court and drained the game-tying three over two Magic defenders to force overtime.”
2. Stats 50 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists
Date: April 9, 2017
Game Result: 106-105 win vs. Denver Nuggets
As selfish as Westbrook was for chasing a record, he did it in such a memorable way that you could care less.
He broke Robertson’s single-season triple-double record with 42 in this game while knocking the Nuggets out of playoff contention. And he did it while scoring 50 points, including a 36-foot three-pointer at the buzzer for the win, too!
“I practice that shot everyday pregame,” Russell Westbrook said. “So, I definitely feel confident in shooting that shot.”
One of the game’s most captivating players, Westbrook denied himself some easy baskets to secure the triple-double, causing the Thunder to fall behind. But he was also the reason why they were able to make a comeback and finish the game strong for an exhilarating win.
The Nuggets crowd cheered him on and gave him a standing ovation after breaking the record with his 10th assist and 4:17 remaining in the ball game.
“Pure adrenaline, emotions running high, game-winning shot, it is something you dream about as a little kid to be able to do that on the road especially from that distance,” Westbrook said. “It is something you definitely will never forget.”
It’s something we’ll definitely never forget as Westbrook’s greatest triple-double game.
1. Stats 28 points, 13 rebounds, 21 assists
Date: May 10, 2021
Game Result: 124-125 loss vs. Atlanta Hawks
This is it. The record-breaking performance everyone awaited. No one thought it was possible but Russell Westbrook is proudly standing on top of Mt. Triple-Double.
Here's the 10th rebound that gave Russell Westbrook his 182nd career triple-double, passing Oscar Robertson for most all-time. 😤https://t.co/npgaDgsfsa
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 11, 2021
The Wizards lost this game to the Hawks, but Russell Westbrook has been leading the Wizards' rampage on his way to breaking Oscar Robertson's record. So much for the stat padder narrative, right?
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