Andrew Pace
A triple-double in basketball is a highly coveted achievement where a player attains double-digit stats in three out of five statistical categories in a single game. These categories include points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. For instance, a player can achieve a triple-double with a combination of 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. While it is rare to have blocks or steals in a triple-double, it is not unheard of. The occurrence of triple-doubles has increased in recent years, with some attributing it to the faster pace of modern basketball, providing more opportunities for players to achieve this feat.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A triple-double occurs when a basketball player scores double digits in three out of five statistical categories in a single game. |
| Statistical categories | Points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. |
| Examples | 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists; 35 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists; 61 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. |
| Notable achievers | Russell Westbrook, Luka Doncic, Magic Johnson, LeBron James, James Harden, Oscar Robertson, Nikola Jokic, Tamika Catchings, Larry Kenon, Kendall Gill, Wilt Chamberlain, Payton Sandfort, Sabrina Ionescu. |
| First occurrence | Andy Phillip of the Philadelphia Warriors recorded the first triple-double in 1950. |
| Frequency | Triple-doubles have become more common in recent years, with 108 recorded in 2018, compared to around 30 per year from 1990 to 2011. |
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What You'll Learn
Triple doubles are a 'benchmark of virtuoso versatility'
A triple-double is a basketball statistic achieved by a player who reaches double digits in three of the five main statistical categories in a single game. These categories are points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. For example, a player might score 18 points, make 12 rebounds, and assist 10 shots.
Triple-doubles are considered a "benchmark of virtuoso versatility" by The Economist and a "common measuring stick" by The Denver Post. They are a testament to a player's skill and versatility, as they require a combination of scoring, rebounding, and assisting abilities. The number of triple-doubles achieved in a season has increased in contemporary basketball, with 108 recorded in 2018, leading some to declare that we are in the "golden age of triple-doubles."
Some of the most famous basketball players with the highest number of career triple-doubles include Russell Westbrook, Magic Johnson, LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and James Harden. Westbrook holds the record for the most career triple-doubles, while Johnson has the most in the postseason. Dončić holds the record for the fewest minutes in a 30-point triple-double, and Harden has the most points scored in a triple-double with 60 points.
While triple-doubles are an impressive feat, some critics argue that they are an overrated measure of talent and performance. They may be more common due to the increased pace of modern NBA games, which provides more opportunities for players to achieve higher stats. Nonetheless, achieving a triple-double remains a challenging and respected accomplishment in the sport of basketball.
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Double doubles
A double double in basketball refers to a single-game performance in which a player scores double-digit figures in any two of the five statistical categories. These categories are points, rebounds, steals, assists, and blocked shots. For instance, a player can achieve a double double by scoring 10 rebounds and 10 assists without scoring in the steals and blocks categories.
The double double is a highly celebrated feat in basketball. For players in power forward and center positions, the most common double double combinations are points and rebounds. For guards, the two categories are usually points and assists.
The number of double doubles achieved in a game has increased in contemporary basketball. This increase can be attributed to the higher pace of the standard NBA game and the positionless nature of the modern NBA game. The more possessions a team has, the greater the number of opportunities to achieve stats.
Some of the greatest basketball players in NBA history have achieved double doubles. For example, Wilt Chamberlain holds the record for the highest number of career double doubles at 968.
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Quadruple doubles
In basketball, a quadruple-double is a highly rare feat where a player accumulates 10 or more in four of the five major statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. This means that a player must record double-digit figures in four of these categories during a single game.
The five statistical categories in basketball are used to track player performance. The categories are:
- Points: the number of successful shots or free throws scored by a player.
- Rebounds: the number of times a player retrieves the ball after a missed shot or free throw.
- Assists: the number of passes made by a player that lead to a successful field goal by a teammate.
- Steals: the number of times a player legally gains possession of the ball from an opponent.
- Blocks: the number of defensive plays where a player legally blocks or alters an opponent's shot.
A quadruple-double is an exceptional achievement, with only four players in NBA history officially recording this feat: Nate Thurmond, Alvin Robertson, Hakeem Olajuwon, and David Robinson.
Lester Hudson was the first male player in NCAA Division I history to record a quadruple-double in 2007. Veronica Pettry of Loyola–Chicago was the first Division I women's player to officially record a quadruple-double in 1989.
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Quintuple doubles
A quintuple-double is an extremely rare achievement in basketball that involves a player accumulating double-digit figures in five statistical categories during a single game. While the traditional double-double and triple-double milestones are more common and widely recognized, the quintuple-double takes it to an even higher level of rarity and showcases an exceptional all-around performance.
To achieve a quintuple-double, a player must reach double digits in five of the following statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, or, in certain leagues, other specialized categories like points scored on turnovers or defensive rebounds. This feat requires an extraordinary display of versatility and dominance across multiple facets of the game.
Due to the specific skills and opportunities needed to accumulate numbers in certain categories, quintuple-doubles are typically achieved by players who excel as versatile, well-rounded contributors. For example, a player might need to exhibit strong all-around skills, such as scoring proficiency, rebounding prowess, playmaking ability, and exceptional defensive instincts to accumulate steals or blocks.
In the history of the NBA, a quintuple-double has never officially been recorded. The nature of the game and the specialization of player roles make it an extraordinarily challenging feat to accomplish. However, there have been some exceptional performances that came close, with players reaching double digits in four statistical categories.
While the quintuple-double remains elusive in the top professional leagues, it could be theoretically possible in lower-level competitions or youth basketball, where the skill levels and competition structures may vary. Nonetheless, even at those levels, it would still be an incredibly rare occurrence, demanding an exceptional individual performance across a diverse set of statistical categories.
Given the level of talent, competition, and specialized player roles in modern basketball, the quintuple-double stands as an ultimate testament to a player's all-around excellence and versatility, representing a statistical milestone that pushes the boundaries of what is achievable on a basketball court. It serves as a benchmark for players to strive for, showcasing the potential for well-rounded contributions that impact every aspect of the game.
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Notable triple-double players: Russell Westbrook, Magic Johnson, James Harden, LeBron James, Luka Dončić, Larry Kenon, Kendall Gill, Wilt Chamberlain, Payton Sandfort and Mikal Bridges
A triple-double in basketball occurs when a player scores double-digit figures in three out of five statistical categories in a single game. These categories are points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. While steals and blocks are included in the criteria, they are not the most common features of a triple-double. The most common combinations include points, rebounds, and assists.
Russell Westbrook is a notable triple-double player, holding the NBA record for most career triple-doubles. Westbrook also holds the record for most triple-doubles in a single season, with 42 in 2016-17, and the longest continuous streak of triple-doubles, with 11. Westbrook has been involved in six instances of triple-doubles by opponents, which have occurred at least 44 times in NBA history.
Magic Johnson is another player with an impressive triple-double record. Johnson is one of only five players to have eclipsed 100 career triple-doubles in the regular season, alongside Westbrook, Nikola Jokić, LeBron James, and Jason Kidd. Johnson was also involved in a triple-double by opponents, alongside George McGinnis, in 1979.
James Harden has also achieved notable triple-double feats. Harden is one of only two players to have scored 60 points in a triple-double, with 60 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists against the Orlando Magic in 2018. Harden also recorded multiple 50-point triple-doubles in the 2016-17 and 2018-19 seasons.
LeBron James has achieved over 100 career triple-doubles in the regular season, a feat managed by only five players in NBA history.
Luka Dončić is the current holder of the record for the most consecutive 30-point triple-doubles, with six. Dončić is also the second player to have scored 60 points in a triple-double, with 60 points, 21 rebounds, and 10 assists against the New York Knicks in 2022.
Larry Kenon, a former professional basketball player, achieved a triple-double with 29 points, 15 rebounds, and 11 steals while playing for the San Antonio Spurs against the Kansas City Kings in 1976.
Kendall Gill, playing for the New Jersey Nets, recorded a triple-double with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and an impressive 11 steals against the Miami Heat in 1999.
Wilt Chamberlain achieved the feat of recording the most rebounds in a triple-double on two occasions. Chamberlain recorded 24 points, 38 rebounds, and 13 assists in 1967, and 10 points, 38 rebounds, and 10 assists in a playoff game in the same year. Chamberlain also held the record for the longest continuous streak of triple-doubles for almost 50 years, with nine, until Westbrook surpassed him in 2019.
Payton Sandfort achieved a triple-double for the Iowa men's basketball program, with 26 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds.
Mikal Bridges is a current NBA player who has achieved notable double-double feats, although information on triple-doubles was not readily available. Bridges holds the record for the most consecutive games played, having not missed a game since being drafted.
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