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Russell Westbrook will average a triple-double for the season season in a row, an accomplishment he sealed on the final night of the 2017-2018 NBA season. Westbrook entered Monday night averaging 25.6 points, 10.1 assists and 9.8 rebounds per game. He needed 34 rebounds over his final two games to match his own record from last season — one that Oscar Robertson established 56 years ago when he became the first player ever to average a triple double for a season.
Could he do it? Of course he could. He recorded 18 rebounds against the Heat on Monday night and pulled down 20 rebounds (a career-high) on Wednesday against the Grizzlies.
It was a campaign that propelled him to the first Most Valuable Player of the Year award of his incredible career in 2017. Now, he’s the first player to ever average a triple-double in multiple seasons.
Was Westbrook hunting for rebounds in the final two games?
Well, you be the judge.
Versus the Grizzlies
Here is a textbook box out on his own teammate, Carmelo Anthony, in the first half.
Paul George do you want this rebound? Sorry.
Okay, Paul, this one is yours. Just kidding.
Versus the Heat
Westbrook had a triple double in the books at around the 3:50 mark of the third quarter, but he had eight rebounds at halftime. Just like he rockets to the paint to finish at the rim, he darted into the restricted area to grab boards for his stat sheet.
Here, he even stole a board from his teammate, Alex Abrines.
Regardless if Westbrook was rebound hunting or not to end the season, he’s still an incredible player doing things on a basketball court that we’ve honestly never seen before.
Congrats, Russ!