SGA joins an elite group on triple-double board:
If there is one performance that stands out from SGA this year it is his historic triple-double spectacle against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 14th.
It was a night of accolades as the youngster not only recorded his first career triple-double but also became the first Canadian-born player to achieve the feat (notably, Steve Nash while Canadian was born in Johannesburg, South Africa).
He put up a colossal 20 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists and joined legendary company as only the fourth second-year player to post a 20-20 triple-double. The other three players are none other than Oscar Robertson, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O’Neal.
Many around the league shared their amazement at Gilgeous-Alexanders’ tenacity to register such huge numbers. Fellow Canadian Andrew Wiggins and Toronto Raptors All-Star Pascal Siakam were among them.
Siakam said: “I just know how hard it is to grab that many rebounds…it’s really impressive to be able to do that.”
SGA’s phenomenal achievement brought back memories of Westbrook doing the same thing many times while with the Thunder. The pair are actually the only guards in the NBA to have a 20-20 triple-double in the last 30 seasons.
Throughout the match, Gilgeous-Alexander was so efficient shooting eight of 12 from the field, 100 percent at the free-throw line, and draining two three-pointers. He had an all-around sensational game, creating plays and finding ways to get to the basket.
It was a game that many will remember for a long time.