Westbrook notches rare fifth straight triple-double

Russell Westbrook extended his streak of triple-doubles to six games, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 102-99 victory over the skidding Atlanta Hawks on Monday
night.

“It’s just a blessing”, Westbrook said.

But the Thunder were vibing at a noticeably high level, with Victor Oladipo singing in the showers like he wanted to raise Sinatra from the grave, Westbrook yelling at him, and everyone else cackling.

The 28-year-old is still averaging a triple-double for the season with 31 points, 10.8 rebounds and 11.3 assists.

The 10-11 Hawks are coming off a pair of losses to Eastern Conference foes, but just narrowly fell to the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns on the road last week. He is the first player since Oscar Robertson in 1963-64 to accomplish the feat this late into the season, per ESPN. It’s something I’ve never seen before. That’s the most three quarter triple-doubles in the National Basketball Association since the start of Westbrook’s career, with James Harden and Steph Curry tied for second with four.

LaMarcus Aldridge’s go-ahead basket with 21.2 seconds remaining after Giannis Antetokounmpo was penalised for goaltending, saw the Spurs extend their winning streak away from home to 12 games, equalling a franchise record. “I just like to win, brother”.

But here’s what’s more important – the Thunder are 5-0 during this streak.

Still, these are the kinds of games an “elite” Clippers team should win. Westbrook is now just the fourth player in National Basketball Association history to record six straight triple-doubles, joining Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan and Oscar Robertson.

Lou Williams had 38 points, six rebounds and seven assists for the Lakers, who rallied in the fourth quarter and almost stole a victory despite finishing their eighth loss in 11 games without five injured regulars. “I think it will be beneficial for both of them and us”. [English] is my second language. The Thunder have a Top 10 defense this season, but they need Westbrook to carry the offense to get wins. “He’s doing an wonderful job”.

“He is the one guy that I really have no doubt that you could put him in the National Football League and he’d be fine”, Gentry said. “So, he’s just a really unique player”. He’s not worrying about his stats; he’s worrying about everybody’s stats.

After the officials called a jump ball, Davis beat Gasol for the ball, but Langston Galloway’s attempt at a game-winning 3-pointer from the right corner missed. “He’s just an unbelievable player”. Getting his stats, but making everybody else better. “They’re all trying to make each other better”.

The Thunder got out to a 15-point lead during Westbrook’s third-quarter takeover, but relinquished the advantage against a small Hawks lineup.

“Obviously the league hasn’t seen something like this in a long time”, Donovan said.

Kidd played from 1994 to 2013, with much of his career spent during a time when the game was considered to be more physical, with more dominant big men to contend with on the boards.

George, who missed six of the seven previous game with an ankle injury, scored 16 points with seven rebounds and five assists.