What NBA Player Has the Most Triple Doubles?

We take a look at the NBA players with the most triple doubles in history. Who comes out on top?

Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook currently has the most triple doubles in the NBA with 21. A triple double is when a player gets double digits in three of the five main statistical categories, which are points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals. Westbrook is averaging a triple double this season with 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game.

2017-2018 season

In the 2017-2018 NBA season, Russell Westbrook achieved the most triple doubles with an astonishing total of 42. This record-breaking season led the Oklahoma City Thunder to the playoffs, where they lost to the Utah Jazz in the first round.

2016-2017 season

In the 2016-2017 season, Russell Westbrook had the most triple doubles with 42. He also averaged a triple double for the season, which had never been done before. Westbrook is a point guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Oscar Robertson

Oscar Robertson is the NBA player with the most triple doubles. He achieved this feat during the 1961-1962 season. Robertson is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and was inducted in 1980.

1961-1962 season

In 1961-62, Robertson averaged 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 11.4 assists, becoming the first and only player in NBA history to average a triple double for an entire season. He remains the only player to average a triple double for an entire season in the modern era (post 1950s). Robertson also set an NBA record that still stands today by tallying 41 triple doubles during the 1961-62 season.

1960-1961 season

Oscar Robertson had 41 triple-doubles in the 1960-1961 season, which is the most ever in an NBA season. He averaged a triple-double for the entire season, something that has only been done once in NBA history. He is also the only player to have ever averaged a triple-double for an entire season.

Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson is often considered the greatest point guard of all time. He played for the Los Angeles Lakers for his entire career, winning five NBA championships. He was a 12-time All-Star and a three-time NBA MVP. He is also the Lakers’ all-time leader in assists and steals. Most importantly, he is the NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles, with 138.

1981-1982 season

In his rookie season, Johnson was a regular starter on a Lakers team that also featured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Jamaal Wilkes. He averaged 18.0 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game, and was named an All-Star, the first rookie to be so honored since Oscar Robertson in 1960. The following season he was named the NBA Finals MVP as the Lakers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in the championship series. In the deciding Game 6, Johnson had 42 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists, becoming the first rookie ever to be named Finals MVP.

1980-1981 season

During the 1980-1981 season, Johnson became the first rookie in NBA history to average at least 18 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds per game. He was also named the Rookie of the Year and All-Star Game MVP. In the playoffs, he helped lead the Lakers to a championship by averaging 21 points, 11.5 assists, and 8.5 rebounds per game.