This Tuesday night time was a particular one for Russell Westbrook, who turned the primary participant in NBA historical past to publish 200 triple-doubles throughout Denver’s win over Memphis. The veteran guard reached this milestone very late within the match, which ended 122-100 in his favor.
The 36-year-old ended the competition with 12 factors, 10 rebounds and 14 assists, however was in want of a ultimate rebound with a minute and a half left on the clock to realize this feat. With 1:28 left within the fourth, his teammate Dario Saric missed a shot from past the arc and he jumped within the air to earn his first offensive rebound of the night.
The match was very tight because the Grizzlies had been a relentless menace to the Nuggets, however fortunately Saric then settled the sport by dropping a ultimate three-pointer with 27.7 second to the ultimate buzzer. As soon as the competition was over, Russell mentioned he wasn’t thanking Dario for lacking the shot that gave him the triple-double.
Russell Westbrook is the primary participant in NBA historical past with 200 triple doubles 👏
10 PTS | 14 AST | 10 REB pic.twitter.com/4P5JUEsCaW
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) November 20, 2024
“I thank him for making the subsequent one to shut the sport, which is an important,” Westbrook mentioned in a joking vogue, as he did admire having made the second try which earned his crew one other win. Now Denver is sitting fifth within the West with an 8-5 document.
By the tip of the NBA Cup conflict, the All-Star was given the sport ball and was celebrated inside Denver’s locker room. Together with his newest achievement, he’s now 19 triple-doubles forward of Oscar Robertson and 62 from Magic Johnson.
“It’s a blessing,” Russell mentioned of main a milestone that additionally has gamers like LeBron James, Jason Kidd, Wilt Chamberlain and even teammate Nikola Jokic on the record. “I’m actually grateful to have the ability to play the sport (effectively sufficient) to do this. However I’m additionally appreciative of those who got here earlier than me.”
Regardless of making historical past, the veteran was largely blissful for contributing to Denver profitable one other sport. “Anytime we win and I get them, I’m at all times grateful for that,” mentioned Westbrook, who can also be grateful for sustaining his kind at his outdated age. “It’s my favourite time.”
Denver teammate Nikola Jokic has now missed the previous three video games as a result of private causes which has to do together with his circle of relatives
We nonetheless don’t know the the reason why Nikola Jokic has been out of the competitors for the previous week, however all we all know is that it has to do together with his household. On Tuesday night time, the Nuggets introduced for a third-consecutive match that he wasn’t going to take part for private causes.
The Serbian large man, who’s a three-time league MVP, is presently main Denver in stats with 29.7 factors, 13.7 rebounds and 11.7 assists per contest. Solely drawback is, the Colorado crew had misplaced the primary two video games with out him in opposition to New Orleans and Memphis.
After beating the Grizzlies final night time, the press requested coach Michael Malone is he thought the European participant can be accessible for Friday’s house sport in opposition to the Mavericks, however he wasn’t certain. “I do not know about Friday,” the tactician mentioned. “Clearly, there’s no information out of Denver. So we’ll revisit that once we get house.”
“We shouldn’t play differently,” Malone mentioned of not having his star middle. “Clearly, you don’t have a three-time MVP. I believe we have now to play tougher. That must be with Nikola or with out Nikola. I believe we have now to play extra bodily.”
