Washington Wizards: Russell Westbrook breaks franchise record for triple-doubles

That was quick. In less than one full season, Russell Westbrook broke a long-standing Washington Wizards record. He now leads the franchise in triple-doubles.

Russell Westbrook needed less than one full season to write his name in the Washington Wizards’ record book. In what was his 38th game as a Wizard — a 132-124 victory over the Indiana Pacers — Westbrook recorded his 16th triple-double of the season. In the win, Westbrook finished with 35 points, 14 rebounds, and 21 assists.

Westbrook now has more triple-doubles than any other player in franchise history, a record previously held by Darell Walker. Walker recorded 15 triple-doubles over a four-season, 283-game stint with the Washington Bullets (1987-91). Westbrook surpassed that mark in just 38 games.

THIRTY. EIGHT.

It’s mindblowing. In his 13th NBA season, Westbrook is averaging a triple-double for the fourth time in his career. He is one of the more polarizing players in the NBA, but no matter what you think of Westbrook, you have to admit, this is nothing short of incredible. From here on out, every Westbrook triple-double will just increase his total, creating a lofty sum that may never be beaten.

For what it’s worth, Walker doesn’t seem to have any bitter feelings about the record falling. Besides, it’s not the first record of Walker’s that Westbrook has broken this season. Westbrook cruised past Walker’s previous single-season triple-double record of nine back in February.

https://twitter.com/CoachWalker_LR/status/1376002432627568644?s=20

Are Russell Westbrook’s triple-doubles helping the Washington Wizards win?

Westbrook’s play has been incredible. There’s no doubt about that. But has it led to any winning for the Wizards? The Wizards are 8-8 when Westbrook records a triple-double this season. However, they’ve been much better at taking advantage of his big games recently. The Wizards lost each of Westbrook’s first five triple-doubles. However, in the past month and a half or so, dating back to February 15, the Wizards have gone 8-3 when Westbrook finishes with a triple-double.

Luckily, the Wizards are now turning the triple-doubles into dubs after having trouble with that early in the season. That type of loss — an L despite some big numbers from the stars — has been far too common for the Wizards over the last season and a half. Bradley Beal’s infamous streak of losing while scoring 40+ points recently came to an end. The Wizards suffered through 11 losses before cashing in on one of Beal’s sensational scoring nights. The eleven-game losing streak was the longest such streak in NBA history. Not good.

We’ve seen a lot of individual excellence this season, but no matter how many records fall, the Wizards’ win-loss record is the most important of all, and it’s not great. The win over the Pacers brings the Wizards record to 17-28. The impressive individual performances are worthless if the Wizards can’t turn them into wins. Luckily, they capitalized on Westbrook’s historic performance.