Luka Doncic has the fourth-most triple-doubles by a rookie in NBA history

Scott Rafferty

Luka Doncic has the fourth-most triple-doubles by a rookie in NBA history image

On Sunday, Luka Doncic torched the Golden State Warriors with 23 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.

The rookie sensation did so in only 27 minutes of play, sitting the entire fourth quarter with the Dallas Mavericks up big on the defending champions.


The win doesn't mean much for the Mavericks in the big scheme of things — they've long been out of the Western Conference playoff race — but Doncic made some history with his performance.

According to Basketball-Reference, Doncic moved into sole possession of fourth place on the all-time triple-doubles list for a rookie. Oscar Roberston (26), Ben Simmons (12) and Magic Johnson (7) are the only first-year players who have ever had more.

Most triple-doubles in a season by a rookie
Rank Player Season Triple-Doubles
1 Oscar Robertson 1960-61 26
2 Ben Simmons 2017-18 12
3 Magic Johnson 1979-80 7
4 Luka Doncic 2018-19 6
5 Alvan Adams 1975-76 5
5 Tom Gola 1955-56 5

Four of Doncic's triple-doubles came before his 20th birthday. Not only did that make him the second teenager in NBA history to record a triple-double, he's the only teenager ever to record multiple triple-doubles.

One of those was a 30-point triple-double, which, once again, was the first of its kind for a player his age.

The Mavericks still have nine games remaining this season, so Doncic will have a few more opportunities to tie Magic Johnson and pass him at No. 3. He also technically has a shot at catching Simmons at No. 2, but it's highly unlikely considering he'd need six more triple-doubles to tie the Philadelphia 76ers star and seven more to pass him.

As for Robertson, he continues to be in a triple-double class of his own.

Scott Rafferty

Scott Rafferty Photo

 

Scott Rafferty is an experienced NBA journalist who first started writing for The Sporting News in 2017. There are few things he appreciates more than a Nikola Jokic no-look pass, Klay Thompson heat check or Giannis Antetokounmpo eurostep. He's a member of the NBA Global team.