
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. The term double-double refers to the two categories in which the player has achieved double-digit numbers. This means that a player needs to score 10 or more points, rebounds, assists, recoveries, blocks, etc. While it is accepted that a double-double is achieved when 10 or more points and assists are made, rebounds are also considered an important category. This is a sought-after statistic for players as it demonstrates their versatility and skill in various areas of the game, regardless of their position.
Double-Double in Basketball
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A single-game performance in which a player achieves double-digit totals in any two of the five statistical categories. |
| Statistical Categories | Points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots. |
| Examples | Scoring 10 or more points, rebounds, assists, recoveries, or blocks. |
| Common Combinations | Points and rebounds, points and assists. |
| Leaders | Tim Duncan (points-rebounds combination), John Stockton (points-assists combination), Russell Westbrook (rebounds-assists combination). |
| Triple-Double | Achieved when a player reaches double figures in three of the five categories (points, rebounds, and assists). |
| Quadruple-Double | Accumulating ten or more in four of the five statistical categories, a rare feat with only a few official records. |
| Quintuple-Double | Accumulating ten or more in all five categories, which has never been officially recorded in the NBA. |
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What You'll Learn

Double-double combinations
In basketball, a double-double is a single-game performance in which a player accumulates double-digit totals in two of the five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots. The most common double-double combinations are points and rebounds for big men, and points and assists for guards.
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 combinations with 142.
During the 2008-09 NBA season, 69 players who were eligible for leadership in the main statistical categories recorded at least ten double-doubles. In the same season, players like Carson and Barrs also recorded double-doubles.
The record for the longest single-season streak of double-doubles is held by Chamberlain, who posted a double-double in 81 consecutive games during the 1966-67 season. In league history, Chamberlain also holds the record for the most career double-doubles, with 968.
A special type of double-double is the 20-20, double double-double, or double-20, which is achieved when a player accumulates 20 or more in two statistical categories in a game.
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Triple-double
A triple-double is a basketball statistic achieved when a player reaches double digits in three out of these five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots. For example, a player might score 18 points, make 12 rebounds, and assist 10 shots.
The term "triple-double" was coined by Harvey Pollack, a statistician for the Philadelphia 76ers, and Bruce Jolesch, the public relations director for the Los Angeles Lakers, in the early 1980s. Since then, the triple-double has become a well-known statistic in basketball, with players like Russell Westbrook and Nikola Jokic achieving the feat multiple times. Westbrook holds the record for the most career triple-doubles, while Jokic set a new record for the most points in an NBA triple-double with 61 points.
While triple-doubles usually consist of points, rebounds, and assists, other combinations are possible. A player could achieve a triple-double with a combination of points, blocks, and rebounds, although this is less common. The number of triple-doubles achieved in a season has increased in contemporary basketball, with 108 triple-doubles recorded in 2018, leading some to declare a "golden age of triple-doubles."
Achieving a triple-double is considered a significant accomplishment in basketball, showcasing a player's versatility and all-around contribution to their team. While the criteria for a triple-double have not changed, the increase in their occurrence may be due to the faster pace of modern NBA games, providing more opportunities for players to accumulate stats.
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Quadruple-double
In basketball, a quadruple-double is an extremely rare feat where a player accumulates 10 or more in four of the five major statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. This requires a remarkable combination of offensive and defensive prowess. Since the 1973-74 season, when the NBA started tracking these categories, only four quadruple-doubles have been officially recorded in the league's history.
The first recorded quadruple-double was achieved by Nate Thurmond in 1974 while playing for the Chicago Bulls. He recorded 20 points, 11 rebounds, 13 assists, and 10 steals in an overtime win against the Atlanta Hawks. Thurmond, a legendary player voted among the 50 Greatest Players in NBA history, showcased his all-around brilliance in this performance.
Hakeem Olajuwon became the third player to record a quadruple-double. In a dominant 120-94 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, Olajuwon stuffed the stat sheet with 18 points, 16 rebounds, 11 blocks, and 10 assists. Olajuwon came close to achieving this feat on another occasion, falling just one assist shy of a quadruple-double in a game against the Golden State Warriors.
David Robinson, also known as "The Admiral," was the fourth and most recent player to record an NBA quadruple-double in 1994. Robinson achieved this feat against the Detroit Pistons, contributing 34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 blocks to his team's comfortable 115-96 victory.
While quadruple-doubles are incredibly rare, they showcase the pinnacle of all-around basketball excellence. These four players have etched their names in NBA history with their extraordinary performances, combining offensive production with defensive mastery.
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Quintuple-double
In basketball, a quintuple-double is a single-game performance in which a player accumulates ten or more in all five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots. This feat is extremely rare, and no quintuple-double has ever been recorded in a professional basketball game.
The only player in NBA history to have reportedly achieved a quintuple-double is Wilt Chamberlain. On March 18, 1968, while playing for the Philadelphia 76ers, Chamberlain recorded 53 points, 32 rebounds, 14 assists, 24 blocks, and 11 steals in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers. However, this record is considered unofficial as the NBA did not count steals and blocks at the time.
Despite the doubts surrounding the validity of Chamberlain's quintuple-double, it is widely recognized as an extraordinary achievement. Some believe that with the evolution of the game and the increasing specialization of players, it is unlikely that anyone will come close to matching Chamberlain's record.
While quintuple-doubles remain elusive, other milestones such as double-doubles and triple-doubles occur more frequently in the NBA. A double-double is achieved when a player reaches double digits in any two of the five statistical categories, while a triple-double is attained by reaching double digits in three categories. Quadruple-doubles, which require double digits in four categories, have been officially recorded on a few occasions, with only four players achieving this feat in NBA history.
As the game of basketball continues to evolve, the possibility of a quintuple-double being achieved remains a topic of speculation among fans and analysts alike. While it may be statistically improbable, the ever-increasing athleticism and versatility of players could potentially give rise to a historic quintuple-double achievement in the future.
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Five-by-five
In basketball, a five-by-five is a highly impressive feat achieved by a player who accumulates five or more points in each of the five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. This is also referred to as a quintuple-double.
The five-by-five is an incredibly rare occurrence in the NBA, with only 23 recorded instances since the 1973-74 season when the league first started recording steals and blocks as official stats. To put this into context, triple-doubles are far more common in the NBA, but even then, they are rarer in the EuroLeague due to shorter game times, fewer games in a season, and stricter rules.
The players with the most 5x5 games in NBA history are Houston Rockets legend and Basketball Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon with six, former Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko with three, and Wembanyama with two.
A notable mention goes to WNBA player Sabrina Ionescu, who achieved an impressive eight five-by-fives during the 2018-19 season, showcasing her all-around impact and versatility on the court.
The five-by-five is a testament to a player's well-roundedness and ability to contribute significantly across the board, making them an invaluable asset to their team. It is a challenging feat to accomplish, and those who achieve it are celebrated for their exceptional performance and impact on the game.
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Frequently asked questions
A double-double is a single-game performance in which a player achieves double-digit totals in any two of the five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots.
Double-doubles are a common achievement in the NBA, with 69 players recording at least ten during the 2008-09 season.
A triple-double is achieved when a player reaches double figures in three of the five statistical categories.
A quadruple-double is a rare feat where a player accumulates ten or more in four of the five statistical categories. Only four players have officially recorded a quadruple-double in NBA history.
The most common double-double combinations are points and rebounds for big men, and points and assists for guards.











































