Russell Westbrook’s record-tying triple-double leads Thunder to lopsided victory

When Oscar Robertson tallied the lone triple-double average during the 1961-62 season, with 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 11.4 assists, he recorded an unfathomable 41 triple-doubles to reach the gaudy figures.

Now the head coach of Milwaukee, Kidd said before Tuesday’s game that Westbrook will be “cheated” if he doesn’t MVP this season.

“I just play, man, honestly. Just kind of sitting there, embracing the moment”, Westbrook said of the stoppage.

“It’s incredible, and he’s played his heart out, so I think he deserves it”, said Cox, who bought his tickets for this game two months ago.

Westbrook nearly certainly will be the first player since Robertson in 1961-62 to average a triple-double for an entire season. Wilt Chamberlain holds the record at nine straight, which Westbrook could match in that same Suns game if he comes through with another on Wednesday at the Memphis Grizzlies. He notched the triple-double in just 22 minutes – the second fastest triple-double in National Basketball Association history.

Even without Durant – a four-time scoring champion – to pass the ball to, Westbrook is at the same pace for assists as last season.

“We have the best fans in the world”. Unbelievable people, teammates, coaching staff. I had (James) Harden all year long; but, after witnessing it up close and personal, how can you not give it to a guy who accomplished such a great feat? “I never dreamed about a moment like this, to be able to be on this stage”. Now, he has his eyes set on breaking another record, and it also is related to a triple double. And while there was plenty of talk about the triple-double mark, Thunder coach Billy Donovan said the win was priority.

“You can feel that in the building”, Kidd said, “and you could see that his teammates were not going to let him down tonight”.

Minutes into the third period, he notched his 10th rebound then posted a 10th assist on Taj Gibson’s basket that put the Thunder up 67-42. “Something I’ll definitely never forget”. Westbrook assisted on six of their 14 makes and only scored five of Oklahoma City’s 35.

The Thunder (44-33), though, showed a balanced attack starting in the second quarter and coasted to victory the rest of the way to snap a two-game skid.

Not only is Westbrook on-track to put up season average numbers that’ll sit him top single-season marks that most trusted voices on the game assumed would stand forever, but Westbrook today equalled an all-time National Basketball Association record that has stood for fifty five years.

And while the focus inside the locker room was on Westbrook’s remarkable accomplishment, not to be overlooked was the fact the Thunder played one of their most complete games of the season. On just 4-of-12 shooting, Westbrook collected 12 points and set a new season-low – he got 10, though, so that’s all that matters. And Russ only needed 22 minutes to get the job done.