MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook posted the 200th triple-double of his career Tuesday night in a win over Memphis.
The NBA recordholder for triple-doubles reached the milestone late in a 122-110 victory.
The 36-year-old Westbrook finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists, and it took him until the final minutes to accomplish the feat.
With 1:28 left, Westbrook was one rebound shy when center Dario Saric missed a 3-pointer. Westbrook grabbed his only offensive rebound of the game.
With the Grizzlies still threatening, Saric knocked down a 3-pointer with 27.7 seconds left to preserve the Denver win.
Westbrook said he wasn’t thanking Saric for the miss that led to the triple-double.
“I thank him for making the next one to close the game, which is the most important,” he said.
Westbrook is 19 triple-doubles ahead of Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson, and 62 in front of Magic Johnson. His teammate — Nikola Jokic — is fourth with 136, followed by LeBron James at 117.
“It’s a blessing,” Westbrook said of reaching the milestone. “I’m truly grateful to be able to play the game [well enough] to do that. But I’m also appreciative of the ones who came before me.”
Westbrook’s teammates marveled at the accomplishment, not only the number of triple-doubles, but Westbrook’s longevity and ability to achieve such an accomplishment.
Westbrook has recorded a triple-double with six different franchises (every one he’s played for), breaking a tie with Rajon Rondo and Mark Jackson for the most all-time. With a triple-double in his 13th straight season, he’s tied for the second-longest streak in NBA history, trailing only Jason Kidd’s 17 straight seasons with a triple-double.
Julian Strawther, a second-year guard out of Gonzaga, said Westbrook is a celebrity everywhere the team goes.
“It’s hard to put into words,” Strawther said. “Two-hundred triple-doubles is a lot. I don’t even know if I’ve got 200 career games.”
For Westbrook, the feat capped an ideal night.
“Anytime we win and I get them, I’m always grateful for that,” Westbrook said. “It’s my favorite time.”
ESPN Research and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
