Performer of the Week: Russell Westbrook
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook is the Performer of the Week after posting three triple-doubles in three games.
In a year in which the pro basketball spotlight belongs to the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs, the Thunder are making a push to join those powerhouses atop the West, winning five in a row and 12 of 13.
The Thunder went 3-0 at home this past week, scoring an average of 115.3 points, and getting triple-doubles from Westbrook in all three contests.
It's the second time Westbrook's strung together three consecutive triple-doubles. Only Oscar Robertson (13), Wilt Chamberlain (6), and Magic Johnson (4) have more three-game triple-double streaks.
Stat Line
22.3 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists, 1.3 steals, 51.9 FG%, 3 triple-doubles in 3 games.
Notable Night
Feb. 3 vs. Magic: Westbrook tallied his third consecutive triple-double, putting up 24 points, 14 assists, and a career-high 19 rebounds in a 117-114 win over Orlando. The last player with at least 24 points, 19 rebounds, and 14 assists in a game was Larry Bird in 1981-82. Only Wilt Chamberlain (5) and Oscar Robertson (4) have reached those numbers in a game multiple times.
The Quote
"I go get the ball, man," Westbrook said of his rebounding strategy when talking to reporters after pulling down a career-high 19 boards against the Magic on Wednesday. "I don't have a method. I just try to work harder than the next guy and go out and compete at a high level every night. That's it."
The Tweet
🔥🔥🔥 #whynot #nochill pic.twitter.com/0T1mIVAfQY
— Russell Westbrook (@russwest44) February 2, 2016