Russell Westbrook jumped up for an uncontested defensive rebound with 8:30 remaining against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday and leaped past Oscar Robertson in the history books to become the NBA’s triple-double king.
That simple rebound in the fourth quarter of the Wizards’ 125-124 loss at Atlanta completed a history-making triple-double that snapped a record many thought was previously unattainable and had stood since Robertson recorded his 181st triple-double on March 24, 1974. Robertson had been the all-time leader in the category since he took the lead during the 1961-62 season.
“I never really thought about it honestly,” Westbrook said when asked when he thought he could realistically catch Robertson. “I just kind of go out and play and every night I try to do things that people say can’t be done.
“My motto is ‘Why not?’ That’s how I live and that’s how I think. Each and every time I step on the floor, I try to do things that people said I can’t do over the years and proving people wrong.”
The Wizards released a video featuring reaction and congratulations from some of the greatest to ever play the game, starting with Robertson.
With his 28 points, 13 rebounds and 21 assists Monday, the Wizards’ point guard now has 36 triple-doubles on the season with three games remaining. He already has set the record for most triple-doubles in a season with the 42 he had in 2016-17.
Robertson, Johnson (138), Kidd (107) and LeBron James (99) are now the men who follow Westbrook in the top five of most career triple-doubles.