About Last Night: Westbrook matches Wilt

Russell Westbrook from Oklahoma City is well-acquainted with impressive statistical records.

Indeed, we’ve become so accustomed to his jaw-dropping performances that there’s been virtually zero fanfare for the fact that he’s all but assured of averaging a triple-double for a third straight season.

But the Thunder superstar outdid himself Tuesday in a 119-103 victory over the Lakers, joining Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in NBA history to reach or surpass 20 points, 20 rebounds and 20 assists in a single game.

In 1968, Chamberlain established an NBA record for triple-doubles, amassing 22 points, 25 rebounds, and 21 assists against the Pistons. For decades, this accomplishment appeared as one of his most invincible, standing alongside his legendary 100-point game and season average of 50.4 points.

Despite an initial poor shooting performance which resulted in no scores in the first quarter, Westbrook managed to pull off 20 points, 20 rebounds and 21 assists. He secured the final rebound with just 41 seconds to spare, completing his impressive stats for the game.

“It’s overwhelming,” he stated. “I feel humbled. I’m simply grateful for the opportunity to compete at a high level and engage in the sport I love.”

Teammate Paul George said, “It’s just epic. Honestly, the heart of that guy is what’s so amazing about it.”

Westbrook’s accomplishment couldn’t have been more timely for both him and his team. The Thunder, who had suffered 13 losses out of 20 games since the All-Star break, were in dire need of a win. Adding to this, the achievement came shortly after the murder of Westbrook’s friend, Nipsey Hussle. Hussle, a hip-hop artist and fellow Los Angeles native like Westbrook, was tragically killed outside his clothing store in L.A.

“Those were not for me, but rather for my brother – 60 in total,” Westbrook stated. “May Nipsey rest in peace.”

To further contextualize Westbrook’s achievement, prior to Tuesday’s game, there had only been 45 instances in NBA history of a player achieving even 15/15/15 in a game, seven of which were his.

Despite their exceptional rarity, quadruple-doubles have been accomplished four times. The athletes who achieved this feat are Nate Thurmond in 1974, Alvin Robertson in 1986, Hakeem Olajuwon in 1990, and David Robinson in 1994.

However, the double triple-double? It was an exclusive club of one – until now.

Westbrook set the stage with an unusual first quarter where he didn’t score any points, but managed to secure seven rebounds and deliver 10 assists. This assist count was significant, albeit obscure, as it made Westbrook only the fifth player in the past two decades to have multiple quarters with double-digit assists.

In most other games, that would have been Westbrook’s standout moment. However, as his scoring ability began to align with his increased production, it was clear that something extraordinary was on the horizon.

Westbrook may have been the last one to realize this as he didn’t seem to actively chase the feat until the last few minutes. That’s when he started positioning himself under the baskets to get more rebounds.

With such an extraordinary achievement within his reach, can anyone truly fault him? Definitely not his teammates, who were just as astonished as anyone else observing it unfold.

20 20 20 we know wat it is Russ that was legendary #LongLiveNip

— Richaun Holmes (@Rich_Holmes22) April 3, 2019

–to do any ONE of those things is hard! To do TWO is one of the best games of a person's career. To do all THREE, and factor in the circumstances.. = Legendary.. https://t.co/nlvWZFlSkp

— Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) April 3, 2019

Wow this is REAL

— Zach LaVine (@ZachLaVine) April 3, 2019

On the macro level, Westbrook continues to climb up the career triple-double list, with his 135 standing just three behind Magic Johnson in second place. Should he maintain his torrid pace in recent seasons, in which he’s averaged roughly 33 triple-doubles over the past three campaigns, Westbrook will have a shot at yet another seemingly untouchable mark, Oscar Robertson’s record of 181.

Regardless of his ranking on the list, it seems inconceivable that any of his future triple-doubles will equal, much less exceed, Westbrook’s performance on Tuesday.

On the other hand, Russ has demonstrated a remarkable ability to accomplish what appears to be impossible.

Bay Area beatdown

It started well enough for the Denver Nuggets, who led for most of the first quarter of their crucial Western Conference matchup with the Golden State Warriors before falling behind by six entering the second.

However, moving forward? The back-to-back defending champions unequivocally demonstrated that, even with their unusually erratic performance this season, they remain the team to overcome.

The 116-102 final didn’t do nearly enough justice to the full extent of the Warriors’ dominance. Shaking off their early deficit, they proceeded to steamroll the Nuggets with ruthless efficiency, steadily building their lead up to 30 in the fourth before finally shackling the dogs.

Not even Kevin Durant’s ejection in the third could slow the Warriors, who were otherwise fortified by the best performance of DeMarcus Cousins’ abbreviated season (28 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, two steals, two blocks) and a stifling defensive effort that limited the potent Nuggets to 37.5-percent shooting.

Cousins completely overpowered his opponent, Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic, who managed to score only 10 points and secure five rebounds.

Boogie Cousins asking where Jokic at? LOL pic.twitter.com/2Sffzeg8ry

— gifdsports (@gifdsports) April 3, 2019

Although it’s not quite sportsmanlike, if you’ve spent the evening outperforming one of NBA’s top players like this…

…you have the freedom to celebrate in any way you prefer.

Despite everything, the Warriors are close to securing the top spot in the West with a lead of two games and the head-to-head tiebreaker as they enter the final week of play.

This simply provides further evidence that, until demonstrated differently, they possess a level of skill that no other team can even begin to rival.

The streak continues

Thanks to a promising young core spearheaded by Trae Young and John Collins, the Hawks are looking forward to brighter days ahead.

Eventually, they might even be able to win a game in San Antonio.

Despite a commendable effort from the Hawks, leading for most of the fourth quarter before collapsing towards the end, the Alamo City remains their nightmare, with a streak of 21 consecutive losses.

The last time Atlanta won in San Antonio was in February 1997, when:

Dominique Wilkins, a legend from the Hawks, was continuing his career by playing for the Spurs.

Young was yet to be born in 19 months.

3-point onslaught

The Rockets tied their single-game record from last December by sinking 26 3-pointers against the Kings in their latest 3-point extravaganza, a feat they previously achieved in a victory over Washington.

Out of the 17 times an NBA team has made 23 or more 3-pointers in a game, the Rockets are responsible for eight, seven of which occurred in the last three seasons.