Russell Westbrook continues to create history, with another absurd stat line in the Oklahoma City Thunder's 119-103 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Westbrook finished with 20 points, 20 rebounds and 21 assists, joining Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in NBA history to record a 20-20-20 triple-double. Chamberlain achieved the feat in 1968, with 22 points, 25 rebounds and 21 assists, while playing for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Westbrook, who is on the verge of averaging a triple-double for the THIRD straight season, dragged down one final rebound with 41 seconds remaining to complete his epic night in the box score, much to the delight of the home crowd.
The Los Angeles native dedicated his amazing performance to the late rapper Nipsey Hussle, who was shot and killed on Sunday.
“That wasn’t for me,” Westbrook told TNT post-game. “That was for my bro. That’s for Nipsey — 20 plus 20 plus 20.”
🗣 "That's for Nipsey!" 💙
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 3, 2019
Russ finishes with 20 PTS, 21 AST & 20 REB in @okcthunder's win over LA. pic.twitter.com/Klp6IFuYF4
“Somebody I looked up to, somebody that paved the way for a guy like myself growing up in the inner city,” Westbrook told TNT. “To have those conversations with him. I’m just truly saddened by the situation, just continue to pray for his family.”
Today's performance was Westbrook's 31st triple-double of the season and 135th of his career, just four triple-doubles shy of passing Magic Johnson for 2nd place on the NBA's all-time list.
More importantly for the Thunder, it was their third win from their past 10 games, a much-needed victory as they continue to jostle for seeding in the Western Conference playoff race.
Jerami Grant added 22 points on the night for the Thunder, while Paul George added 19 points and five steals.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope led the scoring with 23 points for the short-handed Lakers, who were missing LeBron James, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and Lonzo Ball.
