Westbrook makes history for Wizards

Washington star ties Robertson for most NBA triple-doubles in victory over Pacers

Washington’s Russell Westbrook notched the 181st triple-double of his career, tying Oscar Robertson for the most in NBA history.

Westbrook matched Robertson with his 10th assist of the night in the third quarter of the Wizards’ 133-132 overtime victory over the Pacers in Indianapolis.

Westbrook finished with 33 points, 19 rebounds and 15 assists, draining the go-ahead free-throws with one second left in overtime then blocking the Pacers’ last shot.

Bradley Beal scored 50 points for the Wizards, so it was no surprise that when Westbrook secured his triple-double with his 10th assist late in the third it was with an arching pass to Beal for a floater in the lane.

Westbrook has 35 triple-doubles on the season – including 25 in his last 32 games.

“Man, it’s unbelievable,” Westbrook said of matching Robertson, who played from 1960-74. “I’m truly blessed and thankful. I’m just thankful for everybody along the way along this journey.”

It’s not the first time Westbrook has etched his name alongside that of Robertson.

Westbrook was playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2017 when he broke Robertson’s single-season record with 42 tripledoubles – recording double digits in three major statistical categories in a feat that has become a measuring stick of all-around excellence.

In that 2016-17 season he joined Robertson as the only players to average a triple-double for the season – which Westbrook has now done for the fourth time in five years.

“To be in conversation with Oscar, one, I want to just thank him because he set the stage,” Westbrook said. “He sacrificed a lot of things for us to be able to go out and play.”