The Washington Wizards have continued their remarkable run of form heading into the postseason, dispatching the Indiana Pacers with a wild 154-141 scoreline.
To the surprise of no one, former MVP Russell Westbrook continued his scorching hot run, finishing the night with an astounding 14-point, 21-rebound, 24-assist triple-double.
Washington head coach, Scott Brooks was full of praise for Westbrook postgame, labelling the stat-stuffing guard the second-best point guard to ever play the game behind legendary Los Angeles Laker Magic Johnson.
“Point guards don’t do what he does," Brooks said.
Told of his coach's comments, Westbrook returned the favour. "I’m grateful for someone like Scottie, not only as a coach but as a friend," Westbrook said. "He’s giving me the opportunity to go out and be me."
The result improved Washington to 13-3 over their last 16, and 30-35 overall. The team is now 3.0 games clear of the Toronto Raptors in the tenth and final Play-In seed. If the season were to end tonight, the Wizards would again face the Pacers in the Nine-Ten matchup for a chance to advance to play the loser of the Seven-Eight game to enter the first-round.
But for now, let's focus on Westbrook and take a look at some of the numbers from a scintillating performance.
20-20: Russ creates NBA history
In tallying 20+ rebounds and 20+ assists, Russell Westbrook became the first player in NBA history to achieve multiple games with those statistical benchmarks.
The only other player to have a single game with those stats? Wilt Chamberlain of course.
Russell Westbrook becomes the only player in NBA history to record multiple triple-doubles with 20+ REB and 20+ AST. Wilt Chamberlain is the only other player to have 1 such game. pic.twitter.com/8l31uFBJyh
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) May 4, 2021
24: Career-high assists
Dishing out 24 dimes, Westbrook tied his career-high mark. He also tied the Washington franchise record set by Kevin Porter way back in 1980.
Russell Westbrook's 24 assists tonight ties the Washington franchise record for most assists in a game, first set by Kevin Porter in 1980. pic.twitter.com/DypQ218Lxr
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) May 4, 2021
Westbrook first recorded 24 assists back in 2019 when playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder, dropping 24 points, 24 assists, and 13 rebounds in a loss to San Antonio.
5: Russ' 20-assist triple-doubles
Tonight was the fifth 20-assist triple-double of Westbrook's career, giving him sole possession of the most such games in NBA history.
Magic Johnson and Rajon Rondo each have four 20-assist triple-doubles, while Oscar Robertson recorded three.
Most 20-assist triple-doubles in NBA history:
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 4, 2021
5 — Russell Westbrook (incl tonight)
4 — Magic Johnson
4 — Rajon Rondo
3 — Oscar Robertson
(Submitted by @DeePee30) pic.twitter.com/VOIduULrkb
21-11-11: Another season averaging a triple-double
Westbrook is now averaging 21.8 points, 11.3 rebounds and 11.2 assists on the season.
It's going to be the fourth time in the last five seasons he has averaged a triple-double.
History tonight at @CapitalOneArena.@russwest44 recorded the third 20-20 game in NBA history with 14 points, 21 rebounds, and 24 assists! pic.twitter.com/mgAkJobwu8
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) May 4, 2021
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA or its clubs.