The Denver Nuggets finally won a game without Nikola Jokic as they overcame the Memphis Grizzlies 122-110 at the FedEx Forum in Memphis. The game ended up being historic as Russell Westbrook notched his first triple-double in a Nuggets jersey and his 200th for his career, extending his lead atop the all-time triple-double charts.
Westbrook reacted to the achievement in an on-court interview after the win.
“Thank you to the man above. I’m truly grateful just to go out and play and given every opportunity I’ve got, just compete at the highest level. I’m grateful for so many things and especially for tonight.”
Westbrook ended the night with 12 points (5-12 FG), 10 rebounds, and 14 assists for his 200th career triple-double, extending his lead atop the all-time list over Oscar Robertson’s 181.
LeBron James is No. 5 with 117, but he’s not going to pose a threat to Russ, but the biggest threat to Westbrook’s record is his teammate Nikola Jokic, who is already fourth on the all-time list with 136 in 685 career games.
Russ opened up on being teammates with the guy that’s likely going to one day take this record from him.
“It’s good man, Nikola is the best basketball player in the world. I’m grateful to be on the team and have the opportunity to do so (get his 200th triple-double) in his absence. Either one of us can take turns and be lucky to get one, but I’m grateful for the opportunity to play alongside him as well.”
Other players who could potentially threaten Westbrook’s record in the NBA right now are Luka Doncic (77) and Domantas Sabonis (61). Sabonis has been racking up triple-doubles over the last few seasons but to expect him to outpace Westbrook or Jokic as a 28-year-old center already might be a little excessive.
Doncic has the capability to average a triple-double over a season if he tries to do so, but he hasn’t really shown a desire to hunt triple-doubles over his career, so it’s unlikely he will have the volume necessary to make himself a threat to Westbrook or Jokic, though he’s on-pace to finish ahead of LeBron and Magic.
Russ is averaging 10.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 6.0 assists this season, having predictable peaks and troughs in terms of his production but overall being an impactful addition to the Nuggets this season.
Whether he can perform at a level to add more triple-doubles to his record remains to be seen, but this was an incredible performance by the former MVP to help the Nuggets get this win, especially without their best player on the court.
Be the first to comment