Oklahoma City point guard Russell Westbrook tied an NBA record Friday night, becoming the first player in 55 years and the second overall to average a triple-double for an entire season.
With his sixth assist against Phoenix, Westbrook clinched the triple-double average and joined Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson, who averaged 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 11.4 assists per game in the 1961-62 season. Westbrook is averaging 31.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists per game and leads the NBA in scoring.
Westbrook got his sixth assist on an outlet pass to Victor Oladipo, who hit a layup and was fouled on the play.
Westbrook left the game with 2:33 to play and finished with 23 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists, two assists shy of what would have been his record-breaking 42nd triple-double of the season. The Suns beat Westbrook and the Thunder, 120-99.
"I could never say in a million years that I would ever think that was even possible," Westbrook told ESPN. "For me to do it, it's extremely a blessing. It's something that I'm honored to be able to do, especially in this game today, at the highest level. It's a blessing. I'm just very thankful and happy to be able to do it."
Westbrook accomplished his averages playing nearly 10 fewer minutes and around 25 fewer possessions per game than Robertson, ESPN reported.
Westbrook is tied for fourth on the NBA’s all-time list of triple-doubles, tied with Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain. He has had seven 40-point triple-doubles and two 50-point triple-doubles, ESPN reported.
Westbrook has three more chances for his 42nd triple-double. Oklahoma City plays at Denver on Sunday, at Minnesota on Tuesday, then wraps up its regular season at home against the Nuggets on Wednesday.
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