Russell Westbrook finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists in Tuesday’s win vs. the Grizzlies.
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook posted the 200th triple-double of his career on Tuesday night in a win over Memphis.
The NBA recordholder for triple-doubles reached the milestone late in a 122-110 victory.
The 36-year-old Westbrook finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists, and it took him until the final minutes to accomplish the feat.
Decked out https://t.co/GbHRXOS0x0 pic.twitter.com/Q7gFqPqN77
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) November 20, 2024
History made pic.twitter.com/0BUWc5k53F
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) November 20, 2024
With 1:28 left, Westbrook was one rebound shy of the triple-double when center Dario Saric missed a 3-pointer. Westbrook grabbed his only offensive rebound of the game. With the Grizzlies still threatening, Saric knocked down a 3-pointer with 27.7 seconds left to preserve the Denver win.
Westbrook said he wasn’t thanking Saric for the miss that led to the triple-double.
“I thank him for making the next one to close the game, which is the most important,” he said.
After the game, Westbrook received the game ball and celebrated the feat with his teammates.
Westbrook is 19 triple-doubles ahead of Oscar Robertson, and 62 in front of Magic Johnson. Teammate Nikola Jokić is fourth with 136, followed by LeBron James at 117. Of the players who rank in the top 10 in career triple-doubles, four players — Robertson, Johnson, Jason Kidd and Wilt Chamberlain — are in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
| Rank | Player | Triple-doubles |
| 1. | Russell Westbrook | 200 |
| 2. | Oscar Robertson * | 181 |
| 3. | Magic Johnson * | 138 |
| 4. | Nikola Jokić | 136 |
| 5. | LeBron James | 117 |
| 6. | Jason Kidd * | 107 |
| T-7. | Wilt Chamberlain * | 78 |
| T-7. | James Harden | 78 |
| 9. | Luka Dončić | 77 |
| 10. | Domantas Sabonis | 61 |
| * = Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer | ||
“It’s a blessing,” Westbrook said of reaching the milestone. “I’m truly grateful to be able to play the game (well enough) to do that. But I’m also appreciative of the ones who came before me.”
Westbrook’s teammates marveled at his accomplishment, not only the number of triple-doubles but also his longevity and ability to achieve such an accomplishment.
Julian Strawther, the second-year guard out of Gonzaga, said Westbrook is a celebrity everywhere they go.
“It’s hard to put into words,” Strawther said. “Two hundred triple-doubles is a lot. I don’t even know if I’ve got 200 career games.”
For Westbrook, the feat capped an ideal night.
“Anytime we win and I get them, I’m always grateful for that,” Westbrook said. “It’s my favorite time.”
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
