Thunder guard Russell Westbrook now averaging triple-double
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook posted another triple-double on Monday, scoring 27 points to go along with 18 rebounds and 14 assists in a 112–103 victory over the New York Knicks.
Westbrook is now averaging 30.9 points, 10.3 rebounds and 11.3 assists in 19 games this season. It was Westbrook's 45th triple-double of his career and eighth this season; the rest of the NBA also has eight such games this season.
It is the latest time in a season anyone has averaged a triple-double since Oscar Robertson in the 1963-64 season. Robertson was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player that season after averaging 28.3 points, 10.4 rebounds and 9.5 assists.
Westbrook hurried up and got his triple-double out of the way on Monday, as he completed the feat with 10:41 left in the third quarter.
He said he isn't concerned about the stats he is putting up.
"I just like to win and compete at a high level, play the same way every night," Westbrook said. "I've been playing the same way since I got in the league, so I just do the same thing, and [I'm] grateful to be blessed and play the game I love."
The only player in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire season is Robertson, who averaged 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 11.4 assists per game in the 1961-62 season for the Cincinnati Royals.
Robertson is also the only player in NBA history to enter December averaging a triple-double. The Thunder close out November with a game against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday.
Oklahoma City has won three games in a row and are now 11–8 on the season, which is sixth in the Western Conference.
- Scooby Axson