Amanda Knapp
In basketball, a double-double is a performance in which a player accumulates double-digit totals in two of five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots. The most common double-double combination is points and rebounds, and smaller players may achieve double-doubles by combining points with assists or steals. While double-doubles are considered special when players achieve 30 or 40 in each of the two statistics, Wilt Chamberlain holds the record for the most career double-doubles, with an impressive streak of 227 consecutive games.
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What You'll Learn
- Double-doubles are a popular statistical achievement
- Points and rebounds are the most common double-double combination
- Turnovers are not considered valid double-doubles
- The point guard, shooting guard, or small forward can achieve double-doubles
- Wilt Chamberlain holds the record for most career double-doubles
Double-doubles are a popular statistical achievement
The most common double-double combination is points and rebounds, followed by points and assists. Power forwards and centers typically achieve double-doubles through points and rebounds, while guards usually achieve them through points and assists. It is rare for a player to reach double digits in steals or blocks.
Double-doubles are considered a significant achievement and are relatively common in the NBA, with 2,162 double-doubles recorded by 262 players during the 2022-23 season. Wilt Chamberlain holds the record for the most career double-doubles in NBA history with 968, while Tim Duncan leads the post-NBA-ABA merger era with 841. Chamberlain also holds the record for the most consecutive double-doubles, achieving this feat in 227 straight games from 1964 to 1967.
Double-doubles are not limited to the NBA, and notable achievements have been made in other leagues and at the collegiate level. In the WNBA, Tina Charles holds the record for the most career double-doubles with 194, while Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas set a single-season record with 28 double-doubles in 2023. In NCAA women's basketball, Angel Reese of LSU recorded 34 double-doubles during the 2022-23 season, while Courtney Paris of the Oklahoma Sooners achieved double-doubles in 112 straight games from 2006 to 2009.
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Points and rebounds are the most common double-double combination
In basketball, a double-double is a single-game performance in which a player accumulates double-digit numbers in two of five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots. The first "double" in the term refers to the two categories, and the second "double" refers to accumulating ten or more in that category.
Since the 1983-84 season, Tim Duncan leads the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the points-rebounds combination with 841 double-doubles. John Stockton leads the points-assists combination with 714, and Russell Westbrook leads the rebounds-assists combination with 142. Duncan holds the record for the most total career double-doubles in the NBA, with 841.
While double-doubles occur regularly each NBA season, only four quadruple-doubles have ever been officially recorded in the NBA, and no quintuple-double has ever been achieved. A similar term, the five-by-five, refers to accumulating at least five in all five statistical categories.
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Turnovers are not considered valid double-doubles
In basketball, a double-double is a single-game performance in which a player accumulates ten or more in two of the following five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. A turnover, which is defined as a loss of possession by a team before a player takes a shot at the basket, is not one of the five categories that constitute a double-double. This is because turnovers are considered negative statistics and are not counted as a positive contribution to a player's performance.
While accumulating ten or more turnovers in a game is certainly possible, it is not something to strive for and does not contribute to a double-double achievement. Turnovers can include statistics such as shot-clock violations, offensive fouls, out-of-bounds passes, and steals by the opposing team. These are all considered negative plays that result in a change of possession and do not benefit the player or their team.
On the other hand, the five statistical categories that make up a double-double all represent positive contributions to a basketball game. Points refer to the number of baskets made and represent a player's scoring ability; rebounds are the recovery of missed shots, demonstrating a player's ability to gain possession for their team; assists track passes that lead directly to a made basket, showcasing a player's playmaking skills; steals record the number of times a player takes possession away from an opponent, indicating their defensive prowess; and blocks count how often a player deflects or stops an opponent's shot, again showcasing defensive ability.
So, while a player's overall performance in a game can certainly be impacted by the number of turnovers they commit, it does not factor into the calculation of a double-double. The focus of this statistical milestone is on positive contributions to the game, and turnovers are considered separate from these achievements. This distinction is important as it highlights the specific skills and achievements of players beyond their negative plays or mistakes.
Understanding this distinction is crucial for players, coaches, and fans alike, as it provides a more nuanced understanding of player performance and contributions to the game. While turnovers are certainly a part of the game that players aim to minimize, they are separate from the achievements celebrated in a double-double. This term, therefore, provides a clear and focused way to recognize and celebrate outstanding individual performances in basketball.
By excluding turnovers from the double-double statistic, there is a clear incentive for players to strive for positive achievements and contributions to their team's success, while also being mindful of reducing negative plays, such as turnovers, that can impact the game's outcome. This balance is an essential aspect of basketball strategy and player development.
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The point guard, shooting guard, or small forward can achieve double-doubles
In basketball, a double-double is achieved when a player accumulates double-digit figures in any two of the five primary statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. This can be in a single game or over the course of several games throughout a season.
The point guard, shooting guard, and small forward are perimeter-related basketball positions. The point guard and shooting guard can achieve double-doubles in the points plus assists statistical categories. This is because these players typically have the ball in their hands for most of the game, giving them the opportunity to score points or pass to teammates to score points.
The small forward, meanwhile, can achieve a double-double in the points plus rebounds categories. Small forwards are usually adept at scoring near the basket or in the perimeter areas of the court. They can utilize their height and wingspan to grab multiple offensive rebounds or defensive rebounds.
In terms of defense, the point guard, shooting guard, or small forward can complete a less common double-double performance of 10 or more points (or rebounds) plus 10 or more steals.
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Wilt Chamberlain holds the record for most career double-doubles
In basketball, a double-double is a single-game performance in which a player accumulates double-digit totals in two of five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots. A triple-double, on the other hand, is achieved when a player reaches double digits in three of these categories.
Wilt Chamberlain holds the record for the most career double-doubles in NBA history, with an impressive 968. Not only that, but Chamberlain also holds the record for the longest continuous streak of double-doubles, achieving this feat in 227 consecutive games from 1964 to 1967. This remarkable streak included an NBA-record 81 double-doubles during the 1966-67 season.
Chamberlain's dominance in this area extended beyond double-doubles, as he also holds the record for the second- and third-longest continuous streaks, with 220 and 133 consecutive games, respectively. Furthermore, he achieved a triple-double streak of nine consecutive games in 1968, which stood as the record until it was recently broken by Russell Westbrook.
Chamberlain's impact on the game extended beyond his NBA career. It is speculated that he may have achieved a quintuple-double (double digits in all five statistical categories) on March 18, 1968, with an incredible stat line of 53 points, 32 rebounds, 14 assists, 24 blocks, and 11 steals. However, this was before the NBA officially recorded steals and blocks, adding to the legendary status of Chamberlain's accomplishments.
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Frequently asked questions
A double-double occurs when a player achieves double-digit numbers in two of five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots.
Double-doubles are a popular statistical achievement across the NBA, WNBA, and NCAA. During the 2008–09 NBA season, 69 players recorded at least ten double-doubles.
Wilt Chamberlain has the most career double-doubles in NBA history with 968. However, some consider Tim Duncan, with 841 double-doubles, to be the leader since double-doubles only became an official NBA stat after Chamberlain retired.
