Over the past two seasons, there has been a lot of triple-double history surrounding the OKC Thunder. On Saturday night they were on the wrong side of history.
If you’ve followed the OKC Thunder over the last two seasons, there’s a chance you’ve heard Russell Westbrook averaged a triple-double. On Saturday night OKC was part of another triple-double feat. Yet, it did not involve Westbrook nor a member of the Thunder.
This time the triple-double history belonged to the opponent, Ricky Rubio to be exact. Rubio became the first Utah Jazz player in the regular or postseason to record a triple-double. Previously Carlos Boozer did so on February 13, 2008, that was over 10 years ago.
Ricky Rubio (26 PTS, 11 REB, 10 AST) tallies his 1st career #NBAPlayoffs triple-double, pushing @utahjazz to the win and a 2-1 series lead! #TakeNote
— NBA (@NBA) April 22, 2018
(He is the first Utah player to record a triple-double in the postseason since John Stockton in 2001) pic.twitter.com/oIaCB9DKTb
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Furthermore, Rubio became the first player to record a triple-double against the Thunder in the playoffs. Oklahoma City has allowed an opposing player to triple-double only 12 times in the franchises ten-year history.
LeBron James recorded a triple-double in The Finals against OKC, most pundit’s group the playoffs and finals separately.
Only Nikola Jokic and Rubio have triple-doubled against OKC since the start of the 2016-17 season. Since the beginning of the 2008-09 season, there have been 569 triple-doubles in the regular and postseason.
The Boston Celtics (9) have allowed fewer triple-doubles than the OKC Thunder (12). The Atlanta Hawks have also given up (12) triple-doubles in the allotted time span.
Rubio’s triple-double is not the only way Rubio hurt Oklahoma City in Game 3. He scored or assisted on 50 of Utah’s 94 points while he was on the court. Westbrook scored or assisted on 37 of the Thunder’s 67 points while he was on the floor.
In Game 4 the OKC Thunder must adjust their defensive scheme, Rubio is making them pay for leaving him open. In Game 3 Rubio attempted 18 shots, 14 of his 18 attempts were open or wide open. That must change or this will become yet another short first-round series.
Next: Round 1 complete series hub article compilation
That’s it for me today Thunder Nation enjoy Game 4 tomorrow evening. Here’s hoping OKC makes the proper adjustment and gets the split they were hoping for in Utah.