WESTBROOK TIES TRIPLE-D RECORD
Another historic night from Russell Westbrook helped the Washington Wizards to a 133-132 overtime victory over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday.
Westbrook notched the 181st triple-double of his career on Saturday, tying Oscar Robertson for the most in NBA history.
He finished with 33 points, 19 rebounds and 15 assists, draining the go-ahead freethrows with one second left in overtime then blocking a potential game-winning shot from Indiana’s Caris LeVert as time expired.
“That’s Russell, he’s an incredible player and person,” said Wizards coach Scott Brooks, who said he thought the triple-double record established by Robertson during an NBA career from 1960-74 “would never be touched.”
Bradley Beal scored 50 points for the Wizards but missed overtime with a hamstring strain.
Beal’s outburst wasn’t the only impressive performance overshadowed by Westbrook. LeVert scored 35 for Indiana whose Domantas Sabonis also had a triple-double of 30 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists.
But before Beal’s departure -- a worrisome development for the Wizards with the regular season winding down -- Westbrook had secured his recordequalling triple-double with his 10th assist late in the third with an arching pass to Beal for a floater in the lane.
“Man, it’s unbelievable,” Westbrook said of matching Robertson. “I take a lot of pride in doing everything that impacts winning, as much as I can leave it on the floor. To be in a conversation with Oscar, one I just want to thank him, because he set the stage.”
Among other teams fighting for play-in spots, the Golden State Warriors notched a 136-97 rout of Oklahoma City thanks to Stephen Curry’s 49 points in three quarters.
The win kept the Warriors ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies in eighth place in the Western Conference.
The Utah Jazz improved their Western Conference-leading record to 50-18 with a 124-116 victory over the Houston Rockets -- who are assured of finishing among the worst three teams.
The Eastern Conference-leading Philadelphia 76ers romped past already eliminated Detroit 118-104.