Fans caught up in Westbrook’s run at triple-double record
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Fans stood on their feet, screaming for Russell Westbrook to grab the one rebound needed to separate himself from Oscar Robertson and grab an NBA record that has stood for 55 years.
This was a road game, but it didn’t matter. Fans all around the league are showing how much they appreciate the Oklahoma City guard’s energy during his historic run.
Westbrook came up one rebound short of a record-setting 42nd triple-double Wednesday in Memphis. He had 45 points, tying his career-high with eight 3-pointers, handed out 10 assists and pulled down nine rebounds in Oklahoma City’s 103-100 win over the Grizzlies.
So the triple-double watch continues, and maybe that’s not a bad thing.
“Obviously, people came to see that, but it happens like that,” Westbrook said. “We got a lot of games left. We got the win. That’s the most important part to me.”
Not to the fans standing throughout the lower bowl in the final minute.
Some like 14-year-old Ashton Wyatt of Paragould, Ark., came with his family to see both his hero and an NBA record. Kyle Cox, 24, of Memphis has been a Thunder fan since the franchise relocated from Seattle and could hardly sleep Tuesday night after Westbrook tied Robertson’s single-season mark of 41 triple-doubles, set in 1961-62.
“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.
The next stop on Westbrook’s road show is Phoenix tonight when the Thunder face the Suns.
Westbrook’s historic pace was all anyone really wanted to talk about before and after the game.
“For what Oscar Robertson did back in the ’60s, for that to stand as long as it has, I think really shows how difficult something like that is,” said Thunder coach Billy Donovan. “And I think for Russell, he’s a unique talent that he gets an opportunity every night because of his ability to impact the game in a lot of different ways.”