On this date in 2015, the OKC Thunder were riddled with injuries and every game was a playoff game.
Schedule and standings watching became a regular exercise for the OKC Thunder in 2015, even after watching Russell Westbrook do herculean things on the court. With the litany of injuries that plagued the team that season, the Thunder were behind the eight-ball and on the shoulders of Westbrook. We all know too well how it ended.
However, before the inevitable end to a bitter season, the 2014-2015 season was one that was special. The statistical anomaly that was (is) Russell Westbrook proved to be the highlight of the season. The Golden State Warriors claimed the NBA as their playground and LeBron James returned home, but Westbrook continued to impress the league and it’s fans night in and night out. One of his pinnacle performances came at home against the Philadelphia 76ers.
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This March 4th game came after a win in Los Angeles without Russell Westbrook. In Portland a collision with Andre Roberson fractured Russell Westbrook’s Zygomatic bone. In layman’s terms – there was a hole in his face. The injury bug crept up once again and tried to take whatever was left of the Thunder’s season.
Stunningly, Westbrook missed a grand total of one game. Additionally, he began his “masked crusade.”
Following up a month of February where he averaged 31 points, 10 assists and 9 rebounds, everyone was wondering what he would do next. The historic month wasn’t even the pinnacle of what the Thunder point guard could do sans Kevin Durant.
"Westbrook joins Big ORussell Westbrook finished the month of February averaging 31.2 PPG, 9.1 RPG and 10.3 APG in 12 games. He’s just the second player in NBA history to average 30 points, 9 rebounds and 10 assists per game for a calendar month with at least 10 games played. He joins Oscar Robertson, who had eight such months in his career. ( via ESPN)"
In Portland, Westbrook posted his third straight triple double. At the time, this was a feat that only James, Jason Kidd and Grant Hill had accomplished. Against Philadelphia he could post number four – the most since Micheal Jordan recorded 7 straight – the longest ever for such a streak.
Starting Lineup :
Russell Westbrook
Andre Roberson
Serge Ibaka
The Event :
The game against Philadelphia was uninspiring as the Thunder went down by as much as 10 in the in first quarter to the 13-win team. The Sixers were up by as much as 14 in the second half despite a 28 points in the half by Westbrook.
This now infamous 94 foot fastbreak dunk highlighted his first quarter.
Westbrook had only four assists in the first half and was feeling it offensively. Naturally, if the team wanted to win it had it to do it with his offense. Yet, as the game started to slip away Westbrook began to rely on his teammates and they started to rally. The Thunder went on an 18-0 run that spanned two quarters to take a 4 point lead in the fourth quarter with 9:30 left in the game.
It looked as if the Thunder had the game back as Westbrook sat on 9 assists with an 8 point lead and under 2 minutes left. The team would win, but it effectively put and end to his streak of triple doubles.
Related Story: Looking at Westbrook’s triple-doubles this season
However, the 76ers made a rally of their own to force overtime.
Nearly 2 minutes into the extra frame, Westbrook found D.J. Augustin for a corner three that not only extended the streak but put the team in position to get a home win.
Russell Westbrook finished the game with a career high in points – 49 – and ten assists with 16 rebounds. And joined Jordan in rare air.
Russell Westbrook is the 1st player to post 4 straight triple-doubles since MJ posted this 7-gm streak in 1989: http://t.co/KT1HxeL1n6
— Basketball Reference (@bball_ref) March 5, 2015
With all of the triple doubles, Westbrook left many postulating that he could average a triple double. If only they knew.