Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook recorded the 200th triple-double of his career on Tuesday night in a win over Memphis.
The NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles reached the milestone late in the game during a 122-110 victory.
The 36-year-old Westbrook finished the game with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 14 assists. He achieved the triple-double in the final minutes.
With 1:28 remaining, Westbrook was one rebound away from the milestone when center Dario Saric missed a 3-pointer. Westbrook grabbed his only offensive rebound of the game.
With the Grizzlies still pushing, Saric hit a 3-pointer with 27.7 seconds left to help secure the Denver win.
Westbrook joked that he wasn’t thanking Saric for the missed shot that helped him get the triple-double.
“I thank him for making the next one to close the game, which is the most important,” he said.
Westbrook now has 19 triple-doubles more than Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson and 62 more than Magic Johnson. His teammate, Nikola Jokic, is fourth with 136 triple-doubles, and LeBron James follows with 117.
“It’s a blessing,” Westbrook said about reaching the milestone. “I’m truly grateful to be able to play the game (well enough) to do that. But I’m also appreciative of the ones who came before me.”
Westbrook’s teammates were amazed by the achievement, impressed not only by the number of triple-doubles but also by his long career and ability to reach such a feat.
Julian Strawther, a second-year guard out of Gonzaga, said Westbrook is a star everywhere they go.
“It’s hard to put into words,” Strawther said. “Two hundred triple-doubles is a lot. I don’t even know if I’ve got 200 career games.”
For Westbrook, the night was a perfect one.
“Anytime we win and I get them, I’m always grateful for that,” Westbrook said. “It’s my favorite time.”
