LOS ANGELES: Oklahoma City Thunder star Russell Westbrook is still chasing history after finishing just shy on Friday of his 42nd triple double of the NBA season. Westbrook missed his first 12 shots and finished with eight assists to go with 23 points and 12 rebounds in a lopsided 120-99 loss to the Phoenix Suns. It marked the second straight game Westbrook failed to break the record as he remains stuck on 41 triple-doubles with Oscar Robertson who did it with the Cincinnati Royals in 1961-62.
He can find solace in Friday’s assist total as his sixth helper of the game ensured he would average a triple-double for the season, joining Hall of Famer Robertson as the only players to do so. Westbrook’s chance at history was hampered by a miserable first half. He had five turnovers in the first quarter, including three in the first three minutes.
When it came down to crunch time late in the fourth quarter his team-mates either missed shots or the Suns intentionally fouled, sending a message that the record wasn’t going to be broken in their building.
Westbrook made just six-of-25 shots from the field, his worst shooting night of the season. After the game, Westbrook went immediately to the Suns’ practice court where he worked out instead of meeting with reporters.
Elsewhere, Atlanta’s Tim Hardaway scored 22 points as the Hawks stunned the NBA champions Cleveland Cavaliers 114-100 despite sitting their starters.
The Hawks didn’t use any of their five starters against LeBron James’s Cavaliers who had their four game win streak snapped. — AFP
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