Despite not securing a spot on the NBA All-Star team this season, Domantas Sabonis is making an undeniable case for an All-NBA slot through his exceptional statistical consistency. On Monday, the Sacramento Kings center etched his name in NBA annals by achieving a unique milestone: recording his 10th point and 10th rebound on a single play, marking his 54th consecutive double-double.
This feat surpasses a longstanding record set by Kevin Love over a decade ago during his tenure with the Minnesota Timberwolves, establishing Sabonis as the new standard-bearer for consecutive double-doubles since the ABA/NBA merger. The historic moment unfolded in the third quarter when Sabonis capitalized on a rebound from teammate Keegan Murray’s blocked shot, converting it into both his 10th point and rebound in one possession.
While Sabonis’s achievement is remarkable, it pales in comparison to the pre-merger era, notably Wilt Chamberlain’s astonishing streak of 227 consecutive double-doubles between 1964 and 1967. To even approach Chamberlain’s record, Sabonis would need to replicate double-doubles in all of Sacramento’s remaining 11 regular-season games and maintain a similar pace for the next two seasons.
Nonetheless, Sabonis is on the brink of cementing his place in post-merger NBA history. His present course indicates a potential to eclipse the record for the most double-doubles in a single season, presently held by Hakeem Olajuwon with 72 during the 1992-93 campaign. Currently boasting 67 double-doubles with 11 games left, Sabonis stands poised to hit 78, a milestone likely to stand the test of time in light of the scarcity of such consistency in today’s NBA scene.
While Sabonis may not eclipse the season triple-double record this year, his 25 triple-doubles thus far rank him tied for ninth in NBA history. Although Russell Westbrook’s record of 42 appears daunting, Sabonis’s ascent into the top 10 as a center alongside legends like Chamberlain and Nikola Jokic is a remarkable feat in itself.
In a time where statistical achievements abound, Sabonis’s enduring brilliance shines brightly. Consistency, a scarce trait in today’s NBA characterized by strategic rest and load management, has been pivotal to Sacramento’s triumphs since Sabonis joined the team. Now, with a historic streak under his belt, Sabonis’s influence is unquestionable.
