Westbrook Ties Robertson's Career Triple Double Record, Hits Game-Winning Free Throws, and Makes Game-Saving Blocked Shot
Russell Westbrook scored 33 points, grabbed 19 rebounds, dished for 15 assists, hit the game-winning free throws, and had a game-saving blocked shot as time expired in Washington's 133-132 overtime win versus the Indiana Pacers. The victory lifted the Wizards past the Pacers into ninth place in the Eastern Conference. The Wizards have won 15 of their last 19 games, largely because of Westbrook's record-setting triple double exploits. He has had 21 triple doubles in his last 25 games, including 14 in April, setting the single-month record. The triple double versus the Pacers lifted Westbrook into a tie with Oscar Robertson for most career triple doubles (181); the last time a major NBA career record was broken was when Ray Allen passed Reggie Miller for all-time three pointers made in 2011. Westbrook already holds the single season triple double record (42 in 2016-17), and he has 35 triple doubles this season with four games remaining.
Bradley Beal scored 50 points before sitting out the overtime due to an ankle injury and a hamstring injury. Beal, who ranks second in scoring this season behind Stephen Curry, is posting career highs in scoring and field goal percentage in his first season playing alongside Westbrook, who has made a habit of bringing out the best in his teammates--including Kevin Durant, Paul George, and James Harden.
If it were easy to get triple doubles, then everyone would do it, but the reality is that Westbrook is establishing a triple double standard that may never be matched. Before Westbrook emerged as the best all-around guard in the NBA, Robertson enjoyed a 43 triple double lead over Magic Johnson--a total that would rank 10th on the all-time list! It would not be accurate to attribute Westbrook's numbers to rules changes or style of play changes, because the next active player on the list (LeBron James) has 99 career triple doubles.
Westbrook is not a perfect player--who is?--but he plays hard every game, and he does everything he can to put his team in position to win. He has an impact on every aspect of the game: scoring, passing, rebounding, and defense.
Westbrook's first opportunity to surpass Robertson's triple double record will be on Monday night when the Wizards visit the Atlanta Hawks. Westbrook has already clinched averaging a triple double for the season, the fourth time in the past five years that he has accomplished that feat. Robertson is the only other player to average a triple double for a season. Robertson also averaged an aggregate triple double for the first five seasons of his career; Westbrook is on pace to finish this season averaging an aggregate triple double for the past five seasons.
Labels: Bradley Beal, Indiana Pacers, Oscar Robertson, Russell Westbrook, Washington Wizards
posted by David Friedman @ 12:01 AM
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