Westbrook joins ‘ Big O’ in averaging triple- double
Oklahoma City Thunder star RussellWestbrook assured himself of becoming only the second player in NBA history to average a triple- double for a season, but he failed for the second consecutive game to break Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson’s single- season record for most triple- doubles.
Westbrook fell two assists shy of what would have been his 42nd triple- double in the visiting Thunder’s 120- 99 loss Friday to the Phoenix Suns, who ended a 13- game losing streak. He finished with 23 points on 6- for- 25 shooting, 12 rebounds and eight assists to go with eight turnovers.
Westbrook entered the game needing six assists to assure he would join Robertson as the only players to average a triple- double for a season.
NFL ‘ Big Ben’ tweets he’ll play in ’ 17
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said on Twitter that he told the team he plans to play this season.
‘‘ Informed the team I am looking forward to my 14th season,’’ Roethlisberger posted. ‘‘ Steeler Nation will get my absolute best.’’
Roethlisberger, 35, hinted after the Steelers’ loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game in January that he needed to take stock before committing to return. He threw for 3,819 yards and 29 touchdowns last season.
The San Francisco 49ers releasedBrock† cornerback Tramaine
after he was arrested late Thursday in Santa Clara, California, on charges of hitting a woman he was dating.
NHL Sabres’ Okposo better
Multiple outlets reported Buffalo Sabres winger Kyle Okposo is improving from an undisclosed illness, though there is no timetable as to when he might be released from the hospital.
Okposo has been undergoing tests at Buffalo ( New York) General Hospital’s neurosurgical intensive- care unit since Sunday.
The NHL suspended Anaheim Ducks forward Nick Ritchie for two games without pay, including a playoff game, for roughing Blackhawks defenseman Michal Rozsival during the third period of a game Thursday.
COLLEGES Wichita Statemoving to AAC
Wichita State accepted an invitation to join the American Athletic Conference, ending a 72- year relationship with the Missouri Valley Conference. The Shockers officially will join the AAC on July 1 in every sport but football, in which it doesn’t field a team. TENNIS U. S. down 2- 0 in Davis Cup Jordan Thompson defeated Jack Sock 6- 3, 3- 6, 7- 6 ( 7- 4), 6- 4 and Nick Kyrgios topped John Isner 7- 5, 7- 6 ( 7- 5), 7- 6 ( 7- 5) to give host Australia a 2- 0 lead against theUnited States in the quarterfinals of the Davis Cup in Brisbane.