The second game of the OKC Thunder season provided Westbrook’s first triple-double offering of his historic campaign. The OKC Thunder had no idea they were about to witness the big bang. An explosion of all of the right circumstances was about to give birth to the Triple-Double season.
The OKC Thunder were at home against the Phoenix Suns and the season was barely unfolded. After a close win against the Philadelphia 76ers in Philly, the Thunder were looking to get the first home of win of the season. That wasn’t going to come easily.
The young Suns team was giving the home team a challenge. In the first quarter the suns put up 40 points – hitting nearly 70% of all of their shots in the quarter. The Thunder couldn’t get anything to fall and couldn’t stop Phoenix from scoring in the quarter. It looked as if the OKC Thunder wouldn’t be able to stabilize themselves and get a home win.
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In the second quarter, however, the Suns shot 5 for 20 and Oklahoma City took advantage. A balanced attack in the quarter allowed the team to close the gap. On the back of – you guessed it – Russell Westbrook. By the end of the half, Westbrook was already up 12 points 8 assists and 7 rebounds. Still down 53-49 at halftime, Oklahoma City kept working.
Westbrook puts winning first:
As it’s been said so many times about Russell, he values winning just as much, if not more, than any statistical achievement. Ironically, his statistical achievements have afforded the OKC Thunder success that many had not foreseen.
The latter half of the game saw Westbrook manipulate the game as he saw fit. His 33 points in the half allowed the OKC Thunder to be in position to take control of the game. Scoring from various areas on the court, his passing seemed to take a backseat, the game was on the line and it was time to win. His 33rd point of the half came after Victor Oladipo blocked a TJ Warren shot. After Steven Adams fielded the missed shot, Westbrook darted up the court only like he can. With under five minutes left in the game, the Westbrook layup put the Thunder up 97-96 on the Suns – their first lead of the game
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How the Triple-Double Unfolded:
Westbrook’s stat-line of 45 points 8 assists and 13 rebounds would have been jaw dropping if the game had ended there. But again, there was winning to do.
The ninth assist of the night came on a wing three from Andre Roberson, putting Oklahoma City up four with a little over two minutes remaining in the game.
The Suns would not go away though, scoring four more points of their own. Regulation would end in a 102-102 tie.
Before the season, I predicted 25 triple-doubles for Russ Westbrook. He had 51 points, 13 boards, 10 assists, 2 steals tonight. 24 to go!
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) October 29, 2016
The OKC Thunder were determined to get this win, especially Westbrook. Entering the overtime period, things were not going well for the home team. The Suns eventually got out to a three point lead in the extra time.
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With 51 points in an OT win, Russell Westbrook became the first to get a triple-double with 50+ points since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1975. pic.twitter.com/fDpb0BUZNu
— ESPN (@espn) October 29, 2016
Westbrook’s 10 assist came on a cutting Roberson as he hit him on the way to the rim.
Still down, in the game Russell started back up again. Scoring 6 points in the overtime period he finished with 51 points 10 assists and 13 rebounds.
Russell would go on to do this 40 more times in the season.’
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