Best Triple-Double Streaks in NBA History

 

The triple-double has been the most extravagant statistic to date. Players like LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, “The Greek Freak” Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden have piled up the triple doubles so far this year. But no player in today’s era has had a streak like Oklahoma City point guard Russell Westbrook. In a win against the Boston Celtics this past Sunday, Westbrook streak of 7 straight triple-doubles was snapped with 37 points 12 rebounds and only six assists. Here are some of the greatest triple-double streaks ever complied: 

 

4- Magic Johnson

 

Since his days at Everett High School, Earvin “Magic” Johnson was well renowned for his scintillating style of play. He received the nickname ‘Magic’ in High School by notching a triple-double of 36 points 18 rebounds and 16 assists. After being drafted 1st overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1979 NBA Draft, the dynamic play didn’t stop there. During the 1986-87 season, Magic Johnson had four straight games with a triple-double averaging 28.3 points, 11.8 assists, and 10.3 rebounds. In the 1988-89 season, Magic had 17 triple-doubles for the year and for his career he had a total of 138 triple-doubles. After Oscar Robertson, Magic is known as one of the best at putting together such stats.

 

7- Michael Jordan

 

Of course, the G.O.A.T(Greatest of All Time) has a spot on the list, right? Doug Collins, the head coach of the Chicago Bulls during the 1986-89 seasons, decided to do what current Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni is doing with James Harden now. Collins wanted to jumpstart his offense by putting the Hall of Famer at the point guard position. After an ingenious move, Jordan started to pour out statistical performances that haven’t been seen in years. Michael Jordan recorded a triple-double seven times in a row in March of 1989 and he also had 10 triple-doubles in 11 games of that season. Jordan averaged 30.6 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 11 assists during the streak. In what could have been the best streak of all time, Jordan missed the record of 11 straight triple doubles falling just three rebounds short on April 7, 1989. Unfortunately, during that span, the Bulls won only five of those 11 games so the Jordan at point guard experiment was short lived.

 

7- Oscar Robertson

 

What’s a list of all-time triple-double streaks without adding the name of “The Big O” Oscar Robertson? NBA fans know Oscar Robertson is the only player in NBA history to average a triple-double for the entire 1961-62 season. In total, he stacked up averages of 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 11.4 assists. Having a streak only seems seven triple-doubles seems low for a player averaging that kind of numbers but what he did for the entire season speaks louder. Out of 82 games, Robertson had a total 41 triple-doubles which is the current record for any one season. At the age of 24 years old at the time, putting up those amazing stats and that type of season are something that we might not ever see again.

 

7- Russell Westbrook

 

Russell Westbrook has added his name to a list of greats that most wouldn’t think he would be close to at the start of this NBA season. Westbrook streak of seven straight triple-doubles is tied for 2nd most ever in league history. At the start of the season, Westbrook was at 37 triple-doubles but now he has surpassed the great LeBron James with 49 total. Through the first two months of an NBA season, Westbrook is the only player not named Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double. Putting up consistent numbers of 31.1 points 10.9 rebounds and 11 assists will be tough to do for the rest of the season but if any player can achieve this you have to put your faith in Russell Westbrook.

 

9- Wilt Chamberlain

 

Every record in the NBA seems like it’s held by the great Wilt Chamberlain. Nine straight triple-doubles is the current record for the most ever in consecutive games. Blocks weren’t officially recorded a stat until the 1973 season which is the same season Wilt retired. NBA pundits claim that Chamberlain had plenty of double-digit block games so his career total of 78 triple-doubles could be significantly higher. During the 1967 season, Chamberlain accumulated 31 total triple-doubles and had nine triple-doubles in 12 games. Achievements such as this doesn’t begin to describe the type of career Chamberlain really had. The infamous 100-point game will forever be at the top of ridiculous performances ever displayed and his career averages of an insane 30.1 points, 22.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists will always be ensconced in the history of this great sport.

 

Davon Moore
Sports junkie.... something of a Savant about the Sport of Basketball. Please comment below any article and express your thoughts with me!