Andrew Pace
A triple-double is a highly sought-after achievement in basketball, where a player reaches double-digit stats in three out of five statistical categories in a single game. These categories include points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. While a triple-double is an impressive feat, some players have taken it even further, achieving quadruple-doubles and quintuple-doubles by reaching double digits in four or all five categories, respectively. The occurrence of triple-doubles has increased in recent years, with some speculating that it is due to the faster pace of modern NBA games, providing more opportunities for players to achieve these milestones.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A triple-double occurs when a basketball player scores in double digits in three out of five statistical categories in a single game. |
| Statistical categories | Points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots. |
| Examples | 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists; 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists; 11 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists. |
| Variants | Double-double (two categories), quadruple-double (four categories), quintuple-double (five categories). |
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What You'll Learn
Triple-double definition
A triple-double is a basketball statistic that indicates exceptional individual performance. It occurs when a player reaches double-digit figures in any three of the five main statistical categories in a single game.
The five main statistical categories in basketball are points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. So, for example, a player can achieve a triple-double by scoring 10 points, making 10 rebounds, and assisting 10 shots. It is not necessary for the player to score in the steals and blocks categories.
Triple-doubles are considered one of the most impressive feats in basketball and are achieved by some of the sport's greatest players. They have become more common in recent years, which some experts attribute to the increased pace of the modern game, which has led to more possessions and thus more opportunities to achieve these stats.
A double-double is when a player reaches double digits in two statistical categories, while a quadruple-double is achieved with four.
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Triple-double examples
A triple-double in basketball is a single-game performance in which a player accumulates a double-digit number total in three of the five main statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots. While steals and blocks are possible components of a triple-double, the most common combination is points, rebounds, and assists.
Triple-doubles have become more common in the NBA in recent years, which some analysts attribute to the increased pace of the modern game, which has led to more possessions and opportunities for players to accumulate stats. Others suggest that the uptick in triple-doubles is due to the positionless nature of the modern game, which makes it easier for players to put up stats not commonly associated with their position.
- Russell Westbrook: Westbrook, formerly of the Oklahoma City Thunder, holds the record for the highest number of career triple-doubles during the regular season, with 202. He is also one of only two players to average a triple-double over a single season.
- Oscar Robertson: Robertson, a former NBA point guard, has 181 total career triple-doubles and was the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double over the course of a season, with 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 11.4 assists per game.
- Magic Johnson: Johnson, of the Los Angeles Lakers, holds the record for the highest number of triple-doubles in the postseason with 30. He is also responsible for about 25.23% of the triple-doubles recorded in the NBA from 1979-1991.
- LeBron James: James, of the Los Angeles Lakers, currently has a record of 99 triple-doubles in the regular season and 28 in the playoffs. Eleven of his postseason triple-doubles have come in the NBA Finals, giving him the record in that category.
- Draymond Green: On February 10, 2017, Green became the first player in NBA history to achieve a triple-double without scoring 10 points. He had 11 rebounds, 10 assists, 10 steals, and 4 points in a victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.
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Double-double
A double-double in basketball is a notable achievement by a player who accumulates double-digit stats in two of the five major statistical categories in a single game. These categories are points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots. For example, a player might score 10 rebounds and 10 assists. It doesn't matter which categories the player achieves the double-digit stats in.
The term "double-double" refers to the two categories in which the player has reached double-digit stats. The most common double-double combinations are points and rebounds, followed by points and assists. For players in power forward and center positions, the most common double-double combination is points and rebounds. For guards, the two categories are usually points and assists.
While less prestigious than a triple-double, a double-double is still an impressive feat. Some of the most famous basketball players in history have achieved double-doubles, including Wilt Chamberlain, who holds the record for the most career double-doubles, Tim Duncan, John Stockton, and Russell Westbrook.
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Quadruple-double
A quadruple-double is an extremely rare achievement in basketball, even more so than the already uncommon triple-double. It occurs when a player reaches double digits (at least 10) in four of the five major statistical categories in a single game: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. This feat showcases an exceptional all-around performance and contribution to the game by a player.
To understand the rarity, it's important to note that only a handful of players in the history of the NBA have officially recorded a quadruple-double. The first and still most recent occurrence was by Nate Thurmond of the Chicago Bulls in 1974, who achieved 22 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists, and 12 blocks. Following this, the next recorded quadruple-double was by Alvin Robertson of the San Antonio Spurs in 1986, who managed 20 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 steals.
The most recent quadruple-double in the NBA was recorded by David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs in 1994. Robinson had a remarkable game with 34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 blocks. These occurrences highlight just how challenging it is to achieve this feat, and why it is so celebrated when it occurs.
While there have been other reported instances of quadruple-doubles, those mentioned above are the only officially recognized ones in the NBA. The criteria for recording statistics and the rules governing their validation have evolved over time, which has led to some discrepancies in historical data. This also extends to the WNBA and other professional leagues, where similar achievements may not have been officially recognized.
Achieving a quadruple-double requires an extraordinary level of versatility and impact on the game. It demands a player to excel in multiple facets, contributing significantly to their team's success through a diverse range of skills. This includes strong offensive capabilities, rebounding prowess, playmaking abilities, and defensive mastery. Players who come close to achieving this feat are often considered some of the greatest all-around players in the history of the sport.
Given the evolving nature of basketball, with a stronger emphasis on analytics and specialized roles, the occurrence of quadruple-doubles may become even rarer. However, it remains a testament to the complete skill set of those players who have achieved this remarkable milestone.
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Players with the most triple-doubles
A triple-double in basketball is when a player compiles a double-digit total in three of five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots. This feat is considered a significant accomplishment, with only a handful of players achieving it in the history of the sport.
Russell Westbrook holds the record for the most career triple-doubles in the NBA, with 202 as of 2021. Westbrook broke Oscar Robertson's long-standing record of 181, which had stood since 1974, and is the only player to have averaged a triple-double over multiple seasons. Westbrook also holds the record for most triple-doubles in a single season, with 42 in the 2016-17 season. He also holds the record for most consecutive games with a triple-double, achieving 11 straight from January 22 to February 14, 2019.
Other notable players with impressive triple-double records include Nikola Jokić, who became the third player in NBA history to average a triple-double for the season in 2025, joining Westbrook and Robertson. Jokić also holds the record for the fastest triple-double, achieving this feat in just 14 minutes and 33 seconds in a game against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 15, 2018. Additionally, he set a new record for most points in a triple-double with 61 points on April 1, 2025.
Magic Johnson is renowned for popularising the triple-double feat, and he holds the record for most triple-doubles in the playoffs with 30. LeBron James is close behind Johnson, with an impressive 28 postseason triple-doubles, 11 of which came in the NBA Finals.
Other players with notable triple-double achievements include James Harden, Luka Dončić, Wilt Chamberlain, and Josh Giddey, who became the youngest player to record a triple-double at 19 years old.
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Frequently asked questions
A triple-double in basketball occurs when a player scores a double-digit figure in three out of the five main statistical categories in a single game. These categories are points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks.
Yes, steals and blocks count towards a triple-double. However, the most common triple-double combinations are points, rebounds and assists.
Triple-doubles are considered rare and impressive. However, they are becoming more common. Some experts attribute this to the faster pace of the modern game, which provides more opportunities for players to score.
As of May 2021, Russell Westbrook holds the record for the most career triple-doubles in NBA history.
Andy Phillip of the Philadelphia Warriors was the first NBA player to record a triple-double, in a 1950 game against the Fort Wayne Pistons.
