Ayrton Oneill
In basketball, a triple-double is a highly coveted achievement, referring to a single player recording double-digit stats in three of the five major statistical categories in a game. These categories include points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. A 40-point triple-double is an even more impressive feat, with only a handful of players in NBA history achieving this milestone. This involves scoring 40 or more points, on top of achieving double digits in two other statistical categories.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A triple-double is achieved when a player has double-digit stats (at least 10) in any three of the five major statistical categories. |
| Statistical categories | Points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots |
| Examples | 40 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists; 53 points, 16 rebounds, and 17 assists; 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 11.4 assists |
| Notable players | LeBron James, Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, Russell Westbrook, Luka Dončić, James Harden |
| Number of players with 40-point triple-doubles in NBA history | 28 |
| Quadruple-double | Achieved when a player has double-digit stats in four of the five major statistical categories |
| Quintuple-double | Achieved when a player has double-digit stats in all five of the five major statistical categories; no quintuple-double has ever been recorded in the NBA |
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What You'll Learn
- The 40-point triple-double is a rare feat
- Oscar Robertson holds the record for most 40-point triple-doubles
- LeBron James is the fifth player to record five 40-point triple-doubles
- Luka Dončić recorded a 30-point triple-double as a teenager
- Russell Westbrook averaged a triple-double for three consecutive seasons
The 40-point triple-double is a rare feat
In basketball, a triple-double is a highly coveted achievement, where a player records double-digit stats in three of the five major statistical categories in a single game. These categories include points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. While the most common triple-double combination is points, rebounds, and assists, other variations are possible, such as points, rebounds, and blocks, though they are rarer.
The 40-point triple-double is an even more impressive and rare feat in the world of basketball. It occurs when a player scores at least 40 points while also achieving double digits in two other statistical categories. As of 2023, only five players in NBA history have achieved this remarkable milestone.
The first player to achieve a 40-point triple-double was Oscar Robertson, who is considered the "undisputed king" of triple-doubles. He recorded an impressive 22 career 40-point triple-doubles, including 41 triple-doubles in the 1961-62 season alone. Robertson's dominance in this category remained unmatched for decades.
Russell Westbrook emerged as the second player to average a triple-double over an entire season in 2016-17, following Kevin Durant's departure from OKC. Westbrook's exceptional performance continued, and by 2023, he had already accumulated eleven 40-point triple-doubles at the young age of 29.
LeBron James joined the elite club of 40-point triple-double achievers, recording his fifth such performance against the Milwaukee Bucks. This milestone solidified his status as one of the greatest players in NBA history, capable of consistently delivering outstanding all-around performances.
Luka Dončić, a Slovenian superstar, also etched his name in NBA history with a memorable performance against the New York Knicks on December 27, 2022. Dončić's remarkable stat line included 60 points, 21 rebounds, and 10 assists, making him the seventh player in NBA history to score at least 50 points in a triple-double.
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Oscar Robertson holds the record for most 40-point triple-doubles
Oscar Robertson, also known as "The Big O", is one of the greatest basketball players of all time and a true pioneer of the game. Among his many remarkable achievements, Robertson holds the record for the most 40-point triple-doubles in NBA history. A triple-double is an impressive feat in itself, indicating that a player has reached double digits in three key statistical categories in a single game (points, rebounds, assists, steals, or blocks). But to achieve a 40-point triple-double signifies an extraordinary level of dominance and all-around brilliance.
Over his illustrious career, Robertson accumulated an astonishing 12 40-point triple-doubles. This feat stands as a testament to his incredible versatility and all-around skill set. What makes this record even more impressive is that Robertson played during an era when the game was much more physically demanding and defensive strategies were often more restrictive. Despite these challenges, Robertson consistently demonstrated his ability to impact the game in almost every statistical category.
One of the most memorable 40-point triple-doubles in Robertson's career came on February 13, 1963, when he posted 43 points, 18 rebounds, and 10 assists against the Los Angeles Lakers. This particular game showcased his all-around brilliance, as he not only led his team in scoring and rebounding but also orchestrated the offense with precision and flair. Another notable performance came against the Detroit Pistons on February 18, 1968, when he racked up 42 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, displaying his enduring ability to influence the game on multiple fronts.
Robertson's record of 12 40-point triple-doubles remains untouched, and it is a testament to his unique blend of scoring prowess, rebounding ability, and playmaking genius. His impact on the game extended far beyond statistics, as he revolutionized the point guard position, demonstrating that a player could be an elite scorer and facilitator simultaneously. Robertson's all-around excellence and consistency across multiple statistical categories set a new standard for point guards and helped shape the modern understanding of the position.
It is worth noting that Robertson's record for 40-point triple-doubles is even more impressive when considering the illustrious company he kept during his era. Playing against all-time greats like Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, and Jerry West, Robertson consistently rose to the challenge and demonstrated his superiority in terms of all-around statistical production. His ability to consistently put up impressive numbers across the board, even against the very best competition, underscores the greatness of his achievement.
Robertson's record for the most 40-point triple-doubles in NBA history stands as a towering achievement and serves as a reminder of his unparalleled versatility and impact on the game. His all-around brilliance and ability to fill up the stat sheet in every category inspired future generations of players and helped elevate the point guard position to new heights. "The Big O" truly earned his place as one of the legends of the game, and his record of 12 40-point triple-doubles remains an enduring testament to his greatness.
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LeBron James is the fifth player to record five 40-point triple-doubles
A triple-double in basketball is achieved when a player has double-digit stats (at least 10) in any three of the five major statistical categories. The most common form of a triple-double is made up of points, rebounds, and assists. However, other types of triple-doubles are possible, such as points, rebounds, and blocks, but they are far more rare.
LeBron James, the NBA's all-time scoring leader, continues to make history in his 22nd season. On March 20, 2018, James became the fifth player in league history to record five 40-point triple-doubles, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. He achieved this feat at 33 years old, notching 40 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in the Cleveland Cavaliers' 124-117 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. This performance came just three weeks after his 40th birthday, making him the second NBA player to post a triple-double at age 40 or older.
James' achievement is even more impressive when considering the company he joined as a result. The other players to record five 40-point triple-doubles include Oscar Robertson, who is considered the "king of putting up jaw-dropping stat lines," and Russell Westbrook, who averaged a triple-double for three consecutive seasons. James' ability to dominate across multiple statistical categories underscores his versatility and impact on the court, solidifying his place among the game's all-time greats.
In addition to his five 40-point triple-doubles, James has recorded 14 triple-doubles over the past two seasons as of January 2025, further extending his own record as the second-oldest player in league history to achieve the feat. With 121 triple-doubles in his career, James ranks fifth all-time in this category, behind only Westbrook, Robertson, Nikola Jokić, and Magic Johnson.
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Luka Dončić recorded a 30-point triple-double as a teenager
A triple-double in basketball is a benchmark of a player's versatility, where they achieve double-digit stats in three of the five major statistical categories. These categories are points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. The most common form of a triple-double is made up of points, rebounds, and assists.
Luka Dončić, the Slovenian superstar, recorded a 30-point triple-double as a teenager, becoming the second teenager to achieve this feat in the NBA, after Markelle Fultz. Dončić's achievement put him in the record books multiple times over. Not only was he the second-youngest player to ever record a triple-double, but he also became the only teenager to have a 30-point triple-double. This highlighted his versatility and talent at such a young age.
Dončić's 30-point triple-double is a significant achievement, as it is rare for a player to reach double digits in three different statistical categories in a single game, let alone as a teenager. The fact that Dončić achieved this feat at such a young age showcases his potential and sets him apart from his peers. It is a testament to his all-around ability and impact on the court.
Dončić has continued to impress and build on his early success, establishing himself as a consistent performer in the NBA. He has recorded multiple triple-doubles throughout his career, showcasing his ability to impact the game in a variety of ways. His performances have earned him recognition and accolades within the basketball world.
Luka Dončić's 30-point triple-double as a teenager is a remarkable achievement that underscores his talent, versatility, and potential for future success. It is a milestone that has solidified his place in the NBA's record books and has helped propel him towards greater achievements in his career. Dončić's performance serves as an inspiration to young basketball players, demonstrating that age is not a barrier to achieving greatness on the court.
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Russell Westbrook averaged a triple-double for three consecutive seasons
A triple-double in basketball is achieved when a player has double-digit stats (at least 10) in any three of the five major statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. The most common form of a triple-double is made up of points, rebounds, and assists.
Russell Westbrook is the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double in two separate seasons. In the 2016-17 season, Westbrook averaged 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists. He followed this up in the 2017-18 season, becoming the only person in NBA history to average a triple-double for a season twice in a career. Westbrook's feat is even more impressive considering he was the lone superstar on the Oklahoma City Thunder after Kevin Durant left in the summer of 2016.
Westbrook's incredible run didn't stop there, as he went on to average a triple-double for three consecutive seasons. In the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, Westbrook continued to put up jaw-dropping stat lines, solidifying his place in NBA history. Westbrook's ability to consistently achieve triple-doubles has led to debates about the value of this statistical milestone. Some consider it a "benchmark of virtuoso versatility", while others criticise it as an overrated measure of talent.
Westbrook's achievements have earned him widespread recognition and accolades. He claimed MVP honours in the 2016-17 season and surpassed Oscar Robertson's long-standing record of 181 career triple-doubles. Westbrook's success has had a significant impact on the NBA, with his ability to pursue and achieve statistical milestones serving as a benchmark for other players and teams to aspire to.
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Frequently asked questions
A 40-point triple-double is achieved when a player scores 40 points, in addition to double-digit stats in any other two of the five major statistical categories (rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks).
LeBron James has achieved at least five 40-point triple-doubles in his career. Oscar Robertson has achieved 22 40-point triple-doubles, the most of any player. Russell Westbrook has achieved 11 40-point triple-doubles.
Triple-doubles are considered a rare and highly coveted accomplishment in the NBA. From 1990-2011, there were around 30 triple-doubles per year. In 2018, there were 108 triple-doubles.
A quintuple-double is achieved when a player records double-digit stats in all five major statistical categories. No quintuple-double has ever been officially recorded in the NBA.
