Who Has the Most Triple Doubles in NBA History?
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We take a look at the NBA’s all-time leaders in triple doubles, and discuss who has the most in history.
Oscar Robertson
With 181 triple-doubles, Oscar Robertson is the NBA’s all-time leader in this statistical category. A triple-double is defined as a single game in which a player accumulates a total of 10 or more points, rebounds, and assists. to put this into perspective, the second-most triple-doubles in NBA history is Magic Johnson with 138. In other words, Robertson has nearly 40 more triple-doubles than the next closest player.
His triple-doubles
Oscar Robertson is the only player in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire season. He accomplished this feat in 1961-62 with 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 11.4 assists per game.
Robertson would go on to finish his career with 181 triple-doubles, which is still the all-time NBA record. He’s followed by Magic Johnson (138), Russell Westbrook (134) and Jason Kidd (107).
His career
Oscar Robertson, nicknamed “The Big O”, is an American former professional basketball player who played for the Cincinnati Royals and the Milwaukee Bucks in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m), 205 lb (93 kg) Robertson played point guard and was a 12-time All-Star, 11-time member of the All-NBA Team, and one-time winner of the NBA All-Star Game MVP Award. He is the only player in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire season. In 1961–62, he became the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double with 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 11.4 assists per game.Robertson also held records for most games played(1,040), most field goals attempted(22,017)and most free throws attempted (11,eree).
Magic Johnson
retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 13 seasons. During his career, Johnson appeared in 12 All-Star games, and won three NBA MVP Awards, nine NBA Finals MVP Awards, and an NBA championship. He was a member of the 1992 United States men’s Olympic basketball team, which won the gold medal in 1992. After his playing career, Johnson was an assistant coach for the Lakers from 1994 to 1996.
His triple-doubles
In the National Basketball Association (NBA), a triple-double is defined as the accumulation of a double-digit number total in three of the five standard statistical categories—points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots—in a game. The most common way to achieve a triple-double is through points and assists.[1] Since the 1983–84 season, when the NBA began documenting steals and blocks,[2] 61 players have recorded a triple-double with points, rebounds, and assists. Oscar Robertson holds the all-time record with 181 such games,[3] while Russell Westbrook currently ranks second with 134 games.[4][5][nb 1]
In 46 games during the 1961–62 season, Robertson averaged 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 11.4 assists per game,[10] becoming the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double over an entire season.[11][12] He also holds the distinctions of being both the youngest player (22 years and 154 days old)[13] and the only guard in NBA history to achieve a 40–15–10 triple-double.[14][15] Westbrook broke Robertson’s single-season record for triple-doubles during the 2016–17 season, when he recorded 42.[16][17] He went on to average a triple-double for an entire season again in 2017–18,[18] becoming just the second player ever to do so.[19][20] In doing so he set numerous other records: most assists in a triple-double (24 vs. Orlando Magic on February 27, 2018),[21][22][23] youngest player to record multiple 40 point triple-doubles in one season (28 years and 17 days old vs. Denver Nuggets on March 22, 2018),[24]:48 most consecutive games averaging atriple double (10 games from March 7 – 21st 2018),[25]:4 longest streak of triple doubles in two consecutive seasons (11 from April 9th 2017 – February 21st 2019),[26]:2 most points ever scored by a player averaging a per game over an entire season (2017–18).[27]:2
Westbrook’s achievements during the 2016–17 campaign led many to declare him as Robertson’s rightful heir as the NBA’s “triple double king”.[28][29][30] However others have opined that Magic Johnson—who is second behind Robertson in career triple doubles—is still ahead of Westbrook in this regard; Johnson had017 more career win shares than Westbrook at his best single season,[31]:16 played almost exclusively at point guard during his career unlike Westbrook who has played all three frontcourt positions over his career;[32]:12and dominated playmaking during his era much like Westbrook does now but to greater effect due largely to pace adjustments that have favored Westbrook statistically.[33::7–8 In December 2017, Bleacher Report ran an article declaring that Johnson was still ahead of Westbrook as the “real king” of the statistical feat regardless of pace adjustments or position played throughout their careers.[34]:6
His career
Magic Johnson played point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers for 13 seasons. He helped the team to five NBA championships and was named the Most Valuable Player of the Finals three times. He was also a member of the 1992 United States Olympic “Dream Team” that won gold in Barcelona.
Johnson’s career was cut short when he announced his retirement from the NBA in 1991 after revealing that he had tested positive for HIV. He became a public speaker on HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness, and has remained active in community and philanthropic work. In 2012, he purchased the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.
Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook currently has the most triple doubles in NBA history. As of February 21st, he has amassed a total of 29 triple doubles. In the 2016-2017 season, he averaged a triple double, which is an impressive feat.
His triple-doubles
Westbrook currently holds the record for the most triple-doubles in a season with 42, which he accomplished in the 2016-2017 season. He also has the second-most triple-doubles in a career with 138, behind only Oscar Robertson.
His career
Prior to his eighth season in the NBA, Westbrook had never been voted to an All-Star team. He worked tirelessly on his game and proved to be one of the best all-around players in the league. He was named to his first All-Star team in 2015 and has been voted to six straight All-Star teams since then. He was also named the NBA Most Valuable Player in 2017.
Westbrook has averaged a triple double for four straight seasons, something that has only been accomplished by one other player in NBA history (Oscar Robertson). In 2020, he surpassed Robertson for the most triple doubles in a single season, finishing the season with 42. He currently ranks second in NBA history with 138 career triple doubles.
