Westbrook posts second straight triple-double
los angeles — Russell Westbrook pushed the pace all night recording his second consecutive triple-double on Sunday to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 113-96 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Westbrook posted 33 points, 16 assists and 12 rebounds en route to his 39th career triple-double. Through three games, he is averaging 38.6 points, 12.3 rebounds and 11.6 assists. “That’s what we do,” Westbrook said.
“We have to go. That’s our advantage, we’re athletic. We’re young and we want to run up and down the floor. That’s what we should do.”
Victor Oladipo added 20 points, while Steven Adams scored 14 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for the Thunder (3-0) at the Chesapeake Arena in Oklahoma City.
Westbrook was coming off a sparkling 51 point, 13 rebound, 10 assist performance against the Phoenix Suns. He narrowly missed a triple-double in the season opener against Philadelphia when he collected nine assists.
He is the first player with 100 points, 30 rebounds and 30 assists in the first three games of the season.
Westbrook has carried the Thunder this season by jackhammering the opponent’s defense into pieces. Sunday night was the hapless Lakers’ turn.
The Lakers, who finished with the worst record (17-65) in the Western Conference last season, are now 1-2 on the season.
“He had a masterful game tonight,” Lakers coach Luke Walton said of Westbrook.
“He was getting everyone involved, shooting when the shots were there and playmaking for teammates.
“He showed today why he is one of the top point guards in the world.” D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle paced the Lakers with 20 points apiece. Randle also grabbed nine rebounds. Nick Young scored 16 for Los Angeles. —