Westbrook is 2nd to average triple-double
Russell Westbrook became the second player in NBA history to average a triple-double for a season, but failed for the second game in a row to break Oscar Robertson’s singleseason record for most triple-doubles.
Westbrook fell two assists shy of what would have been his 42nd triple-double in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s one-sided 120-99 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Friday night. On a rough night all around, Westbrook had 23 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, along with eight turnovers before coach Billy Donovan pulled him with 2:34 to play.
Devin Booker scored 21 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter for the Suns, who snapped a 13-game losing streak.
Westbrook did get the six assists he needed to assure that he’d join Robertson as the only players to average a triple-double for a season.
U.S. WOMEN WIN
Hilary Knight scored at 10:17 of overtime to give the United States a 3-2 victory over Canada in the women’s hockey world championship final in Plymouth, Mich., capping an emotionally charged two-week stretch that included an off-ice fight and victory against USA Hockey for better wages.
The Americans won their fourth straight title and eighth in the last 10 tries against their rivals, who will get their shot at revenge as defending Olympic champions next year in South Korea.
Brianne Jenner tied it at 2 for Canada midway through the third period on a power play after Kacey Bellamy’s second goal early in the period gave the Americans their first lead in the gold-medal game.
The Americans agreed to a landmark deal that allows them to make a living playing hockey just before the world championship began last week to avoid a boycott.
BIG BEN WILL BE BACK
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger isn’t quite ready to head off into retirement.
Roethlisberger announced on Twitter Friday that he’s told the Steelers he plans to be under center in 2017.
“Informed the team I am looking forward to my 14th season,” Roethlisberger posted. “Steeler Nation will get my absolute best.”
The two-time Super Bowl winner, who turned 35 last month, hinted after Pittsburgh’s loss to New England in the AFC championship game that he needed to take stock before committing to returning.
Roethlisberger passed for 3,819 yards and 29 touchdowns for Pittsburgh as the Steelers went 11-5 and won the AFC North for the second time in three years.