Source: Casey Sykes / Getty
Russell Westbrook set an NBA record for career triple-doubles on Monday night. The Washington Wizards star moved past Oscar Robertson with his 182nd triple-double in the 125-124 loss at Atlanta.
A record that has stood for the past 47 years when Robertson got the last of his career on March 24, 1974.
“It’s just a blessing,” Westbrook said. “You put so much into the game, so much time, you sacrifice so much, to be able to just be mentioned with guys like Oscar, Magic, and Jason Kidd, those guys, is something I never dreamed about as a young kid growing up in L.A. Truly grateful for moments like this.”
Westbrook, 32, takes over as the top man for the statistical category and is far from slowing down in his NBA career. “The Brodie” has averaged 23.2 points, 8.5 assists and 7.4 rebounds in 940 games over the past 11 seasons.
“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.”
Robertson congratulated Westbrook on overtaking his accomplishment in a video released by the Wizards.
“I’m very happy for you,” Robertson said in the video. “Your family is very proud of you. And I salute you for all your accomplishments in the game of basketball.”
Westbrook finished the game with 28 points, 21 assists, and 13 rebounds. This is the fourth time in his career Russ has averaged a triple-double in a season.
The loss for the Wizards (32-37) puts them a game and a half behind the Charlotte Hornets (33-35) for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race. A lot to be decided in the final three games of the NBA regular season with both teams meeting for the season finale in DC on Sunday, May 16.
