Russell Westbrook becomes NBA all-time leader in triple-doubles

Russell Westbrook (YouTube)

Russell Westbrook of Long Beach, California became the National Basketball Association all-time leader in triple-doubles on Monday. In the Washington Wizards 125-124 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, Westbrook recorded his 182nd career triple-double, which passed Oscar Robertson’s prior record of 181 triple-doubles.

In 40 minutes of action, Westbrook had 28 points, 21 assists, and 13 rebounds. He also led the Wizards in each category. However even though Westbrook had a record-setting night, Washington’s struggles defensively continued, as they were unable to stop the offensively talented Hawks squad, who got 36 points themselves from Trae Young.

Westbrook’s record-setting triple-double came after a notable triple-double on Saturday, in a 133-132 overtime win over the Indiana Pacers. In this game, Westbrook had 33 points, 19 rebounds, and 15 assists, while Bradley Beal scored 50 points.

This was only the third time in NBA history where teammates had 50 points and a 30-point triple-double in the same game. On December 8, 1961, the late Elgin Baylor had 63 points, while Jerry West had 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists for the Los Angeles Lakers in a 151-147 Lakers win over the Philadelphia Warriors. Then on March 3, 1985, Kevin McHale had 56 points, while Larry Bird had 30 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists for Boston in a 138-129 Boston Celtics win over the Detroit Pistons.

It has been a record-setting season in triple-doubles for Westbrook. In the month of April alone, he had 13 triple-doubles, the most ever in a single calendar month.

The Wizards meanwhile are at 32 wins and 37 losses. With three games left, they have a two and a half-game lead over the Chicago Bulls for the final spot in the play-in tournament.

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