Russell Westbrook of the Nuggets became the first player in NBA history to record 200 triple-doubles

Russell Westbrook of the Nuggets became the first player in NBA history to record 200 triple-doubles

 

 

Russell Westbrook holds nearly every triple-double record in NBA history. In 2021, he broke Oscar Robertson’s career record of 181.

He became the first player since Robertson to average four triple-doubles in a season. During his MVP season in 2016-17, he set a new record by averaging 42 triple-doubles on the year. Westbrook set a record for triple-doubles.

So it’s fitting that he becomes the first player in NBA history to reach 200 career points. That’s exactly what he did on Tuesday, recording 12 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds in the Denver Nuggets’ 122-110 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Westbrook then mimicked a piece of paper with Wilt Chamberlain’s famous number “200” written on it after a 100-point game.

A few years ago, when Westbrook was in the twilight of his NBA career, 195 points seemed unattainable. He was rated 190 when the Los Angeles Lakers benched him for the 2022-23 season, and his playing time and opportunities on the ball have declined since then.

He had just one triple-double during his time with the Los Angeles Clippers, and until Tuesday, he had never recorded a triple-double with the Nuggets. But with Nikola Jokic out for personal reasons, Westbrook was able to make plays and have enough possessions to become the 200th player.

The absence of Jokic, who helped Westbrook reach 200, seems fitting because he is the most active player who could break Westbrook’s record.

Jokic, 29, has 136 career triple-doubles and is currently on track to average a triple-double in 2024-25, with 29.7 points, 13.7 rebounds and 11.7 assists.
Jokic may try to match the record at some point, but it’s in Westbrook’s hands now, and the sheer volume he’s racked up will be impressive, regardless of whether the record holds up in the long run.

In history, only six players have achieved 100 triple-doubles: Westbrook, Jokic, Robertson, Magic Johnson, LeBron James and Jason Kidd.

Legends like Michael Jordan (28), Kobe Bryant (21) and Stephen Curry (10) don’t even come close to Westbrook’s total. It rarely takes versatility to reach double figures in three statistical categories in a single game, and Westbrook has demonstrated it by doing it 200 times.