By: Dan Ferrara
It was a remarkable season for triple-doubles in the NBA, with 24 different players (including eight first-timers) combining for 75 triple-doubles in 2015-16 regular season. That total ranked second all-time to the record 78 set in 1988-89.
| Most Triple-Doubles In NBA Season | ||||||||||||||
| Year | Total | |||||||||||||
| 1988-89 | 78 | |||||||||||||
| 2015-16 | 75 | |||||||||||||
| 1961-62 | 65 | |||||||||||||
| 1986-87 | 62 | |||||||||||||
| 1989-90 | 61 | |||||||||||||
The league was led by Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook, who had 18 triple-doubles and was so incredible that it almost became surprising if he finished with anything less than one. Westbrook passed Magic Johnson’s 17 in 1988-89 for the most in the last 30 seasons and tied Johnson’s 18 triple-doubles from 1981-82 for the most in the last 50 seasons.
Additionally, Westbrook heated up in the month of March where he seemed to almost a be a lock for a triple-double every night. His seven in March tied him with Michael Jordan (1989) for most in a month in the past 30 seasons.
Aside from his triple-double tally being impressive, Westbrook also filled the stat sheet in record time as well. He became just the third player in the last 20 seasons to post a triple-double in the first half when he did so against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 11 and the mere 18 minutes it took him were the fastest since Jim Tucker in 1955.
Westbrook wasn’t alone, however, in dominating the box score. Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green also emerged as a triple-double machine, and it’s no surprise that he and Westbrook are still alive in the playoffs and serving as keys to their teams’ success.
Though Green entered the season with just one career triple-double, he made the Warriors look like geniuses for giving him $82 million last summer. Green became one of the best playmakers in the game from the forward position and became a key driving force for why the Warriors were able to break the all-time NBA wins record with 73.
Green compiled 13 triple-doubles this year for Golden State, breaking the previous record of seven for power forwards (Charles Barkley, Kevin Garnett). Additionally, he became the 15th player in NBA history to record triple-doubles in three straight games, which he did Dec. 31-Jan. 4.
1989-90 was the last time two players had more than 10 triple-doubles in a season (Magic Johnson, 17; Michael Jordan, 15). Though Oscar Robertson is the only player to ever average a triple-double, averaging 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 11.4 assists per game for the Cincinnati Royals in 1961-62, Westbrook and Green have the skill to potentially do so in the coming years. After all, Westbrook was only 2.2 rebounds away from doing so this season.
“The fact that you’re getting triple doubles from not only point guards in Russell Westbrook, you’re getting triple doubles from power forwards in Draymond, in small forwards in myself, centers in Pau Gasol and things of that nature, it shows the versatility of our league,” the Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James said, according to USA Today. “It’s pretty cool. I wouldn’t pick another sport, in another time, to be in the NBA.”
The triple-doubles certainly seemed contagious, as players of all ages found ways to record the firsts of their career. Youngsters such as Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle capitalized on their opportunities, while seasoned veterans finally found ways to add another notch to their belts. Zach Randolph and Matt Barnes, who have played 15 and 13 seasons respectively, each tallied their first career triple-double this season for the Memphis Grizzlies.
