Russell Westbrook equals Oscar Robertson´s single-season triple-double record
Russell Westbrook may or may not be this season’s NBA MVP, but he will go down in the record books nonetheless.
The Oklahoma City Thunder guard amassed his 41st triple-double of 2016-17 Tuesday against the Milwaukee Bucks, matching the NBA’s all-time single-season mark set by Basketball Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson in 1961-62.
Westbrook achieved history by grabbing a defensive rebound and lobbing an assist to Taj Gibson during the third quarter, bringing his game total to 12 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds at the time.
After the play, he acknowledged the crowd at Chesapeake Energy Arena, which had stood in appreciation.
With tonight’s triple-double, @russwest44 has TIED Oscar Robertson (1961-62) for the most in a single season at 41! #ThisIsWhyWePlay pic.twitter.com/KBtDujYVzL
— NBA (@NBA) April 5, 2017
It was Westbrook’s seventh consecutive triple-double, his second such streak this season, and the 78th of his career, tied with Wilt Chamberlain for fourth-most all time.
Needless to say, the six-time All-Star is putting up MVP numbers – 31. 9 points, 10.4 assists, 10.6 rebounds – and could become the first player to average a triple-double since Robertson during that 1961-62 season.
The Thunder next play Wednesday at Memphis with a chance for Westbrook to claim sole possession of one of the NBA’s most hallowed records.
