The true story behind Russell Westbrook’s historic triple-double
Russell Westbrook made history on Sunday. This is how it really went down.
Russell Westbrook leaves the game with 2:01 remaining in the third quarter. His Oklahoma City Thunder trail by seven on the road against the Denver Nuggets. Westbrook sits, one assist shy of securing an NBA record 42nd triple-double on the season.
At the 9:15 mark of the fourth quarter, Thunder head coach Billy Donovan calls Westbrook over to re-insert him into the game. “You’re going in for Victor,” says Donovan. Westbrook surveys the court. Semaj Christon, Enes Kanter, Kyle Singler, and Jerami Grant would be his four flanks. Westbrook nods and walks over to the scorers table, ready to check in.
Following a turnover by Kanter, Westbrook checks in for Oladipo. A Gary Harris miss gives OKC the ball, down by 10. Westbrook is ready to get the assist out of the way. He calls for a high pick-and-roll with Enes Kanter. He trusts that Kanter will knock down a free throw line jumper or go strong to the rim. Of the four guys on the court, Kanter is his most-trustworthy running mate.
Westbrook hits Kanter on the roll, but for the first time all season, Kanter is called for traveling. Westbrook just laughs. “He takes six steps every single time, but this is the one y’all decide to call him on?” he thinks to himself. After another travel Kanter immediately checks out for Domantas Sabonis.
The Thunder and Nuggets trade buckets. Westbrook carries the ball up, once again eyeing history. He finds a wide open Sabonis for a clean look, but Sabonis misfires. The two teams trade missed threes prior to a layup by Emmanuel Mudiay that gives the Nuggets a 12-point lead with 6:31 left.
Donovan calls a timeout to talk things over with his group.
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Billy immediately seeks out Westbrook. “What are you thinking?” asks Donovan. “Leave it as is,” answers Westbrook. Down 12 with a little over half a quarter to play, one would think that now would be a time to play your best group and make a run at things. Not Russell Westbrook. Donovan makes sure that his superstar doesn’t want to re-think things. “Are you sure?” “Coach, we’re good.”
Westbrook misses out of the timeout and Nikola Jokic hits on the other end to push the lead to 14. Russell sets up Sabonis for a mid-range look, but Sabonis is once again off the mark. Westbrook splits a pair of threes prior to Mudiay scoring in the paint. The lead isn’t disappearing fast enough and the clock continues to run, now down to four and a half minutes.
Russell Westbrook remains on the court with Christon, Singler, Grant, and Sabonis.
This is by design. These are not the four guys you would typically want on the floor with Westbrook when trying to mount a comeback. But these are the four Westbrook wants on the floor with him. He knows that the Nuggets are unconcerned with anyone else. They’ll pack the paint and leave everyone open.
The Nuggets are content with allowing history, they need a victory. He’s not assist hunting with this lineup. He’s confidence building. They have 10 points between them at this moment. That doesn’t matter to Westbrook. He’s lifting his team up so he can crumble Denver.
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With 4:23 remaining, Westbrook works his way into the paint. Just as he figured, all five guys crowd the paint. Westbrook finds a wide-open Christon in the corner. He knows this is going in. He’s never been so sure of anything in his life. Semaj Christon shoots a miserable 17 percent from three. This doesn’t matter to Westbrook. He wouldn’t want anyone else taking this shot.
All season long, Semaj has been the subject of ridicule from Oklahoma City Thunder fans. Many question why he’s even in the league. Westbrook knows why he’s in the league. He sees it every day in practice. Sure, he abuses Semaj in ways that a normal human being shouldn’t abuse a teammate, but he respects Semaj. He knows that he can go to war with Semaj. All season long, Semaj has taken the abuse and ridicule from Westbrook and fans, and hasn’t said a word. He’s kept his head down and pushed forward. He’s embraced the grind. Westbrook is giving him this moment because he’s earned it.
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As Semaj goes into his shooting motion, Westbrook casually begins to backpedal. He’s not going to fight for an offensive rebound. He knows that there will be no offensive rebound.
The ball hits the rim and tickles the bottom of the net.
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There’s no celebrating between teammates. There’s no reason to celebrate. Yet. At the end of the game, Westbrook will leap high into the air with Semaj doing his best to match him. But, for now, Westbrook and Christon casually exchange glances. They know what just happened. They just shared a moment that can never be taken away from them.
On the next dead ball, Victor Oladipo and Steven Adams re-enter the game.
Russell Westbrook can’t help but smile when he sees those two check back in. He knows what he’s done. He played Denver for fools. Westbrook made history with four guys who average a combined 16.2 points per game. He got the pressing issue out of the way by lulling the Nuggets into a false sense of security. Now, he’s going to crush their playoff dreams.