Entering the season, there was much debate about what fans should be hoping to get out of Russell Westbrook with the Nuggets this year and how "he needs to buy into his role". The 36-year-old former MVP has done exactly that AND MORE. On Monday night against the Utah Jazz, Westbrook spot-started again and recorded a perfect triple-double with no turnovers.
Westbrook shot 7-7 from the field and 2-2 from the FT line to record his 16 points in the game. He added 10 rebounds (3 of them offensive), 10 assists, and an insane 4 steals to go along with it. This is the 2nd time in his career in which he recorded a triple-double with no missed shots, his first coming in 2017 in a 122-97 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
The difference between that game and Monday night against the Jazz is that in 2017, his perfect shooting triple-double came with 5 turnovers. This time around, he did not turn the ball over a single time, making him just the 2nd player since 1978 to record a perfect triple-double with no turnovers (the first being Domantas Sabonis earlier this season).
Westbrook’s dream season continues to prove the Nuggets were right to bring him in
The Nuggets did go on to win Westbrook’s perfect triple-double game against the Jazz 132-121, but there were so many other storylines that Russ found himself in as well. With Westbrook, Jokic, and Murray all recording 10+ assists, they became the first teammate trio to all dish out 10+ assists in the same game since 1922.
On top of that, Westbrook’s insane pace of play, energy, and passing ability, allowed Christian Braun to set the NBA season game-high for fast break points this year with 16. Lastly, he and Jokic both recorded triple-doubles in the same game, with the 7’0” Serbian’s 36/22/11 statline somehow flying under the radar thanks to all the other historic aspects of the game.
After a shaky start to the season, Westbrook had a great November, and an even better December. He is now averaging 12.0 PPG, 6.4 APG, and 4.4 RPG in 26.2 minutes per game for the Nuggets. He is proving Denver’s GM Calvin Booth right for believing that Mr. Triple-Double would have a positive impact on this roster and work incredibly well with Jokic.
Westbrook and the Nuggets now get the rest of the (calendar) year off until their next matchup on January 1st, 2025 against the Atlanta Hawks. With Aaron Gordon still tending to a strained calf, Westbrook looks poised to start yet again and perhaps add to his phenomenal season.