The Denver Nuggets entered their 2nd game in three days against the Memphis Grizzlies without their superstar and 3x MVP, Nikola Jokic. Rumors are that the Serbian is celebrating the birth of his 2nd child, so he has understandably been absent on the court. Thankfully his triple-double average was not missed tonight thanks to Russell Westbrook recording his 200th.
After starting the season 0-2 in non-Jokic games, the Nuggets needed Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. to step up on Tuesday night, While they both certainly did so, combining for 51 points as a duo on 21/40 shooting, Westbrook also lit it up from the bench, doing a bit of everything for Mile High Basketball as the Nuggets topped the Grizzlies 122-110.
Westbrook played a larger role with Jokic out, recording 12 points, 14 assists, and 10 rebounds in 32 minutes off of the bench for the Nuggets. The veteran PG’s assist-total led the game with no one else recording more than 6 assists. Additionally, his 10 rebounds was tied for the most by a Nugget with Porter Jr.
Westbrook’s 200th triple-double is even more impressive than the numbers indicate
Most fans know that Westbrook leads NBA history in total triple-doubles at 200, but he also leads NBA history in triple-doubles off of the bench. After his performance against Memphis, he has now added his 5th such game. Former two-time 6MOTY and 16-year veteran forward, Detlef Schrempf, is the only other NBA player with more than 2 bench triple-doubles.
With Westbrook’s 200 triple-doubles and Jokic’s 136 triple-doubles, the Nuggets pair account for over 10% of the NBA’s total triple-doubles in league history. These counts do not even account for the triple-doubles that they’ve added in the playoffs either.
While Russ leads Jokic by 64 currently, that gap is sure to continue to tighten as the MVP compiles more and more of them throughout the rest of this season. The only players that stand between Westbrook and Jokic being #1 and #2 in this category is Oscar Robertson (181) and Magic Johnson (138), who Jokic should pass shortly.
The Nuggets now get a couple of days off before returning to action at home against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, November 22nd. Westbrook will be set to come off of the bench again and Denver is hopeful that the Joker will return to action as well. Perhaps one or both of them can add to their triple-double counts against Luka Doncic and Co.