Westbrook first to record five straight triple-doubles since Jordan in 1989
OKLAHOMA CITY — Russell Westbrook became the first NBA player with five consecutive triple-doubles since Michael Jordan had seven straight in 1989.
Westbrook got his fifth on Sunday against the New Orleans Pelicans, clinching it on an assist to Enes Kanter for a dunk with 2:14 left in the third quarter. Westbrook finished with 28 points, 17 rebounds and 12 assists. He also had 10 turnovers, becoming the first player to reach double-figures in all four categories since Jason Kidd in 2000.
The Thunder defeated the Pelicans 101-92, improving to 8-2 this season when Westbrook records a triple-double.
Westbrook’s 10 triple-doubles are almost as many as the rest of the NBA combined (11). He reached 10 triple-doubles in Oklahoma City’s 21st game of the season, faster than any player in NBA history since Oscar Robertson needed just 12 games in 1961.
Westbrook is averaging 31 points, 10.8 rebounds and 11.3 assists for the season, his ninth in the NBA. His 47 career triple-doubles are sixth most in NBA history.
Robertson is the only player to average a triple-double for an entire campaign, achieving the feat with 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 11.4 assists over 79 games in 1961-62. Robertson also averaged a cumulative triple-double over his first five seasons.
Most consecutive triple-doubles, NBA history
9 — Wilt Chamberlain (1968)
7 — Michael Jordan (1989); Oscar Robertson (1961)
5 — Robertson (1961); Robertson (1962); Chamberlain (1968); Westbrook (current)
Most triple-doubles, NBA history
181 — Oscar Robertson
138 — Magic Johnson
107 — Jason Kidd
78 — Wilt Chamberlain
59 — Larry Bird
47 — Russell Westbrook
