Russell Westbrook has been the ‘triple-double king’ since entering the NBA. He became just the second player after Oscar Robertson to average one in a season in 2016-17. He went on to do so three more times after that. The now 36-year-old is the all-time leader in triple-doubles. Westbrook became the first to reach 200 for his career in the regular season on November 19.
The Denver Nuggets guard doesn’t record them as frequently as he did in year’s past. Westbrook finished with one on Monday though in Denver’s 132-121 win over the Utah Jazz. This one, the 201st of his career, was different than any of his first 200.
Russell Westbrook’s Triple-Double Monday Different Than First 200
Russell Westbrook Has ‘Perfect’ Triple-Double In Monday’s Win
Monday’s win by the Nuggets improved their record to 18-13 on the season. Westbrook, who has mostly come off the bench this season, made his third-straight start as Aaron Gordon has been out with a strained calf. Westbrook performed marvelously on Monday. It can even be said that he was perfect.
In Monday’s contest, Westbrook finished with numbers of 16 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and four steals. The 17-year veteran shot 7-7 from the field and made both of his free-throw tries. He did not turn the ball over and was a +23 in his 33 minutes.
With no missed shots and no turnovers, Westbrook recorded a ‘perfect’ triple-double. Out of the 201 that he has in his career, Monday was the first time he was able to accomplish ‘perfection’. It is only the second time in league history that a ‘perfect’ triple-double has occurred where a player didn’t miss a shot from the field or the line while also not committing a turnover.
Monday was Westbrook’s second triple-double in 31 games for the Nuggets. The 2016-17 MVP had just one in 89 games with his prior team, the Los Angeles Clippers. Westbrook has certainly settled in with his new team after somewhat of a slow start. In his first six games, the 6-foot-4 point guard shot a miserable 23.2% from the field. In the 25 outings since, Westbrook has more than doubled that number connecting on 49.4% of his field goal tries. He has appeared in all 31 of the Nuggets games this season.
On the season, Westbrook has averages of 12.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.7 steals.
Second Time It Has Happened This Season
According to StatMuse, Westbrook became just the third player ever to shoot 100% from the field and not commit a turnover in a triple-double performance.
The first time it ever happened was by Westbrook’s current teammate, Nikola Jokic. On October 20, 2018, Jokic scored 35 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out 11 assists in Denver’s 119-91 win over the Phoenix Suns. Jokic shot 11-11 from the field (including 3-3 from beyond the arc) without committing a turnover. He did miss one free throw though, going 10-11 from the line.
The other instance also occurred this season. It was accomplished by Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis. On November 6, the Kings defeated the Toronto Raptors 122-107. In the contest, Sabonis finished with 17 points, 11 rebounds, 13 assists, and zero turnovers. He went 6-6 from the field and 5-5 from the charity stripe.
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