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Lakers’ LeBron James and Russell Westbrook join elite list by recording triple-doubles in same game



Lakers superstars LeBron James and Russell Westbrook have rewritten the history books once again.

Both members of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, James and Westbrook joined another exclusive list: teammates to record a triple-double in the same game. In the Lakers’ 132-123 win over the Rockets on Dec. 28, James finished with 32 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists while Westbrook finished with 24 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.

It’s no surprise to see either of the two record a triple-double, as it was the 102nd career triple-double for James while Westbrook, the league’s all-time leader in triple-doubles, recorded triple-double No. 191 in the game.

It is, however, very rare to see two teammates record a triple-double in the same game. How rare? This marks just the 13th time in the NBA’s 75-year history that it has happened.

NBA teammates with triple-doubles in the same game

Date Team Player Player Opponent
Dec. 28, 2021 Lakers LeBron James (32 PTS, 11 REB, 11 AST) Russell Westbrook (24 PTS, 12 REB, 10 AST) Rockets
Feb. 18, 2021 Heat Bam Adebayo (16 PTS, 12 REB, 10 AST) Jimmy Butler (13 PTS, 10 REB, 13 AST) Kings
Aug. 13, 2020 Grizzlies Ja Morant (12 PTS, 13 REB, 10 AST) Jonas Valanciunas (26 PTS, 19 REB, 12 AST) Bucks
Dec. 10, 2019 Heat Bam Adebayo (30 PTS, 11 REB, 11 AST) Jimmy Butler (20 PTS, 18 REB, 10 AST) Hawks
Dec. 15, 2018 Lakers Lonzo Ball (16 PTS, 10 REB, 10 AST) LeBron James (24 PTS, 12 REB, 11 AST) Hornets
April 7, 2007 Nets Vince Carter (46 PTS, 16 REB, 10 AST) Jason Kidd (10 PTS, 16 REB, 18 AST) Wizards
Jan. 3, 1989 Bulls Michael Jordan (41 PTS, 10 REB, 11 AST) Scottie Pippen (15 PTS, 10 REB, 12 AST) Clippers
March 29, 1987 Celtics Larry Bird (17 PTS, 13 REB, 12 AST) Robert Parish (14 PTS, 10 REB, 10 AST) 76ers
Jan. 22, 1982 Lakers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (19 PTS, 10 REB, 10 BLK) Magic Johnson (26 PTS, 16 REB, 12 AST) Pistons
March 12, 1969 SuperSonics Art Harris (14 PTS, 10 REB, 10 AST) Lenny Wilkens (36 PTS, 14 REB, 14 AST) Rockets
March 14, 1964 Pistons Donnie Butcher (19 PTS, 15 REB, 15 AST) Ray Scott (23 PTS, 20 REB, 11 AST) Knicks
Jan. 18, 1962 Royals Arlen Bockhorn (19 PTS, 10 REB, 12 AST) Oscar Robertson (28 PTS, 14 REB, 16 AST) Warriors
April 5, 1958 Celtics Bob Cousy (24 PTS, 13 REB, 10 AST) Tom Heinsohn (17 PTS, 13 REB, 10 AST) Hawks

While triple-doubles are becoming more common, James and Westbrook are just the fourth pair of teammates to do so in the last four seasons, with Adebayo and Butler doing so twice.

This marks the second time James appears on the list as he and Ball achieved the feat as teammates in a win over the Hornets in 2018.

With the win, the Lakers moved to 17-18 on the season, snapping a five-game skid. James’ 32-point performance marks his fifth consecutive game with over 30 points, an impressive feat that comes just two days before his 37th birthday.





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