Russell Westbrook has made only 38 appearances since arriving at Washington Wizards, yet the iconic point guard has become the all-time triple-double leader of the franchise, having scored his 16th of this season against the Indiana Pacers on Monday.
As the hosts trounced the Pacers 132 – 124 at the Capital One Arena, Westbrook’s shining numbers of 35 points, 14 rebounds, and a career highest 21 assists, which makes him the first player in the NBA to clock a 30-10-20 figure since Magic Johnson achieved the same back on 28th November in 1988 against Philadelphia 76ers, posting a score of 32 added with 11 rebounds and 20 assists.
Moreover, Westbrook is also the third player ever in the league to clinch the feat, since Oscar Robertson was the first to post a 30-10-20 figure back on 11th December 1961 against Chicago Bulls.
The triple-double against Pacers marks the 162nd of Westbrook’s career, and he has clocked at least 15 triple-doubles in five seasons, another unique record he shares with Robertson.
Robertson is still the all-time triple-double leader in the NBA, with 19 to his name, and Westbrook, currently, 2nd in the list will only need three more to tie another record or create a new one in the coming days.
He does things that I’ve never seen: Wizards coach Scott Brooks lauds Westbrook after his historic night
Regarding the Wizards, the previous franchise record holder in triple-doubles was Darrell Walker, who scored 15 of the same in 283 appearances between 1987-91. Whereas, Westbrook only needed 38 games for the franchise.
And the records do not end there. As reported by the NBA, Westbrook is the first player in the history of the league to score a 35-point and 20-assist triple-double.
“I’ve been saying it, there’s no other way to say it — there’s six letters, and it spells out winner,” Wizards coach Scott Brooks expressed in admiration of Westbrook in an interview with Washington Post.
“That’s what he is. He’s won everywhere. We’re not winning as many games as we want, but he still fights and still leads and still plays hard. He’s not perfect. Turns the ball over too many times, at times. But he competes,” Brooks went on, “he does things that I’ve never seen in the history of — I’ve been in this league 30 years. He’s a winner, man. He fights.”
