
In basketball, a triple-double is a highly celebrated feat where a player achieves double-digit numbers in three of the five statistical categories (points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks) in a single game. It is a testament to a player's dedication, versatility, and passion for the game, showcasing their ability to dominate across numerous categories and significantly contribute to their team's success. In the WNBA, only a select few players have recorded triple-doubles, with Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever becoming the first rookie to achieve this milestone in 2024.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A triple-double occurs when a player records double-digit numbers in three of the five statistical categories during a single game. |
| Statistical categories | Points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. |
| Double-double | When a player reaches double digits in two of the major statistics. |
| Quadruple-double | When a player achieves double-digits in four statistical categories. |
| Quintuple-double | When a player achieves double-digits in all five statistical categories. |
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What You'll Learn

Triple-double categories
A triple-double in basketball is achieved when a player reaches double-digit numbers in three of the five statistical categories during a single game. These categories are points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. Most triple-doubles are a combination of points, assists, and rebounds, showcasing a player's versatility and impact on both offense and defense.
Points refer to the total number of points a player scores through field goals (two or three points) and free throws (one point). Rebounds refer to the act of retrieving the ball after a missed field goal or free throw and can be offensive (gained by the attacking team) or defensive (gained by the defending team). Assists are earned by passing the ball to a teammate, enabling them to score.
Steals occur when a player takes the ball from an opponent, showcasing their defensive prowess. Blocks, a less common category in triple-doubles, are achieved by stopping an opponent's shot, also highlighting defensive skills. Achieving a triple-double with points, blocks, and rebounds is less frequent but displays a unique skillset focused on defense and hustle.
Some notable players who have achieved triple-doubles in women's basketball include Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever, who became the first rookie in Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) history to score a triple-double. Alyssa Thomas of the Connecticut Sun holds the WNBA record for career triple-doubles, with 14, showcasing her dominance across multiple categories and significant contributions to her team's success.
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Triple-double players
A triple-double in women's basketball is an impressive feat where a player records double-digit numbers in three of the five statistical categories (points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks) in a single game. Only a select group of WNBA players have achieved this, with 43 triple-doubles recorded in the league's history. Sheryl Swoopes, of the Houston Comets, recorded the first-ever WNBA triple-double on July 27, 1999, with 14 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists.
The player with the most triple-doubles in WNBA history is Alyssa Thomas of the Connecticut Sun, with 15. Thomas is the only player with multiple triple-doubles in the playoffs and has achieved feats such as being the first player with 25 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and 5 steals in a game.
Caitlin Clark, of the Indiana Fever, became the first rookie in WNBA history to record a triple-double, with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 13 assists. Clark achieved her second career triple-double with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, and she is also second on the list of players with the most triple-doubles in Division I women's basketball history.
Other notable triple-double players include Sabrina Ionescu, Candace Parker, Chelsea Gray, Courtney Williams, and Courtney Vandersloot. Lisa Leslie achieved the only triple-double in WNBA history with blocks, scoring 29 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 blocks.
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Triple-double rarity
Triple-doubles are a rare occurrence in basketball, and even more so in the WNBA. In the men's game, triple-doubles are a regular feature of the NBA season, with Russell Westbrook holding the record for the most career regular-season triple-doubles. However, they are far less common in the women's game, with only a handful of players achieving this feat.
A triple-double is a term used in basketball statistics to describe a player's performance in a single game. It occurs when a player reaches double digits in three of the five main statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. This is an impressive feat that requires a high level of all-around skill and contribution to both offense and defense.
In the WNBA, triple-doubles are a rare occurrence. Since its launch in 1997, there have only been a total of 43 triple-doubles in the league's history, with only 17 women achieving this feat in their career. Sheryl Swoopes recorded the first-ever WNBA triple-double on July 27, 1999, and it took six years for the league to see the next one. Alyssa Thomas of the Connecticut Sun holds the record for the most career triple-doubles with 14, showcasing her versatility and impact on the game.
The rarity of triple-doubles in the WNBA can be attributed to various factors. The game dynamics and rules differ from the NBA, with shorter game lengths and stricter rules, which can make achieving double digits in multiple categories more challenging. The evolution of the women's game, with increased pace and positionless play, has also contributed to the rarity of triple-doubles. Despite this, players like Caitlin Clark, the first rookie in WNBA history to record a triple-double, are showcasing their talent and breaking new ground.
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Triple-double history
A triple-double is a term used in basketball statistics to describe a player's performance in a game. It occurs when a player records double-digit numbers in three of the five statistical categories (points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks) in a single game.
Triple-doubles were a rare occurrence in the early history of the WNBA, with only a select group of players achieving this feat. Sheryl Swoopes recorded the first-ever triple-double in the WNBA on July 27, 1999, with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. She also became the first player to record a triple-double in both the regular season and the playoffs. Lisa Leslie achieved the only triple-double with blocks in WNBA history on September 9, 2004, with 29 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 blocks.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of triple-doubles in the WNBA. The 2022 season saw nine triple-doubles, and by October 1, 2023, there were already 11 triple-doubles recorded. Alyssa Thomas of the Connecticut Sun has been a key contributor to this surge, becoming the first player in WNBA history to achieve 25 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and 5 steals in a game. She currently holds the record for the most triple-doubles in the WNBA with 15, 11 of which were in the regular season.
Caitlin Clark, a standout rookie for the Indiana Fever, made history by becoming the first rookie in the WNBA to score a triple-double. She achieved this feat twice in her rookie season, with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 13 assists in her first game, and 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in her second.
Other notable players with multiple triple-doubles in their WNBA careers include Sabrina Ionescu (4), Candace Parker (3), Chelsea Gray (2), Courtney Williams (2), and Courtney Vandersloot (2).
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Double-doubles
A double-double in basketball is a single-game performance in which a player accumulates double-digit numbers in two of the following five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots. The first "double" in the term refers to the two (double) categories, and the second "double" refers to accumulating ten or more (typically double digits) in that category.
In the WNBA, double-doubles are rarer than in the NBA. Caitlin Clark, the standout rookie for the Indiana Fever, made history by becoming the first WNBA rookie to score a double-double. She recorded 19 points, 13 assists, and 12 rebounds. Alyssa Thomas of the Connecticut Sun has the most double-doubles in WNBA history, with 14 or 15, depending on the source.
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Frequently asked questions
A triple-double occurs when a player records double-digit numbers in three of the five statistical categories (points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks) during a single game.
Triple-doubles are extremely rare in women's basketball. From 1999 to 2020, only six women had posted a triple-double in one game. Since 2020, 12 women have recorded the stat line on 25 different occasions.
Sheryl Swoopes recorded the WNBA's first triple-double on July 27, 1999.
Alyssa Thomas of the Connecticut Sun holds the WNBA record for career triple-doubles, with 14 or 15, depending on the source.
Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever became the first WNBA rookie to score a triple-double.








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