RUSSELL WESTBROOK UNLEASHED his 35th triple double of the season last night, making NBA history and powering the Oklahoma City Thunder over visiting Philadelphia 122-97.
Westbrook went a perfect 6-for-6 from the floor and free throw line to score 18 points, also grabbing a game-high 11 rebounds and passing off a game-high 14 assists to spark the Thunder.
It was the first time in NBA history that a player achieved a triple double with perfect shooting from the court and free throw line, and the first game in Westbrook’s career in which he was perfect on every shot.
“I was just playing, trying to take my time,” Westbrook said of his historic hot hand. “I wanted to continue to get my teammates involved throughout the game.”
Westbrook bounced back after scoring only 15 points against Golden State on Monday, although he didn’t attempt a 3-pointer for the first time since March 14, 2016 — a span of 83 games.
“Westbrook really did a good job,” 76ers coach Brett Brown said. “Look at the stat line. It’s an interesting stat line, isn’t it? It was eye-popping and he just doesn’t go away.”
Westbrook needs six more triple doubles in the final 11 games for the Thunder (41-30) to match the all-time one-season record of 41 triple doubles set by Oscar Robertson in the 1961-62 campaign.
That was the season Robertson became the only player in NBA history to average a triple double for the entire season, a feat Westbrook is on pace to match.
Westbrook leads the NBA with 31.4 points a game and also averages 10.5 rebounds and 10.3 assists a game. He ranks third in the league in assists this season and 10th in rebounds.
OKC start a three-game road trip from Sunday at Houston that also includes stops at Dallas and Orlando. In all, seven of the last 11 for the Thunder are away from home.
Turkish reserve center Enes Kanter led the Thunder’s scoring last night, scoring 24 points, 8-of-9 from the floor and free throw line.
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