Wednesday 3 April 2019 10:23, UK
Russell Westbrook posted the NBA's first 20/20/20 game for 51 years as the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Los Angeles Lakers.
Westbrook logged 20 points, 21 assists and 20 rebounds to post the second 20/20/20 game in NBA history.
The first (and only other) player in NBA history to record a 20/20/20 game was the legendary Wilt Chamberlain (22 points, 25 rebounds, 21 assists), playing for the Philadelphia 76ers against the Detroit Pistons on February 2, 1968.
Westbrook ignited the action right from the get-go, helping the Thunder to an early 19-8 lead with six assists on the Thunder's first eight baskets.
The game still hung in the balance until midway through the third quarter, when Westbrook found Terrance Ferguson for back-to-back three-pointers than attacked the rim himself on a couple of downhill lay-ups. Using a 20-9 burst that concluded with a Westbrook jump shot and then a Raymond Felton-to Westbrook fast break lay-up, the Thunder ran their lead out to 15 points at 85-70.
In the fourth quarter, Westbrook lobbed a pass to Jerami Grant (22 points) for a tip-in lay-up, then Dennis Schroder and Westbrook combined to go 4-for-4 from the free throw line before Westbrook finished again in transition and Steven Adams (13 points, 8 rebounds) knocked in a hook shot.
The Thunder's lead, carried by some surehanded offense as well as tight defense that forced four of the Lakers' 23 turnovers in the game, swelled back out to 19 points on a Schroder three-pointer with 1:26 to go that gave Westbrook his 21st assist.
There was just one thing left to accomplish at that point, and Westbrook stayed in for another 45 seconds as he grabbed his 20th rebound to enter hallowed territory.
"Without [my team-mates] none of this is possible," Westbrook said after the game. "They make my job very, very easy and I try to do the same for them.
"So, just thankful for those group of guys in the locker room to be on my side, to be sharing on and encouraging, continuously putting out positive energy is always a great team especially inside of a team."
Westbrook also noted that he dedicated his performance to Nipsey Hussle, who passed away over the weekend. "Just an unbelievable moment that I definitely won't take for granted, won't let pass by," the Thunder guard said. "Just completely humbled and thankful to be able to go out and play. I do not even know what to say, honestly.
Click the video at the top of the page to watch highlights from Westbrook's 20/20/20 game.
