Amanda Knapp
Double-doubles are a popular statistical achievement in basketball, where a player accumulates double-digit totals in two of five statistical categories: assists, blocks, points, rebounds, and steals. The term double-double refers to the two categories in which the player has achieved double digits. While double-doubles are a common occurrence in the NBA, WNBA, and NCAA, triple-doubles (three categories), quadruple-doubles (four categories), and quintuple-doubles (all five categories) are much rarer feats.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A double-double is a single-game performance in which a player achieves double-digit figures in two of the five primary statistical categories. |
| Statistical categories | Points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots. |
| Examples of combinations | Points and rebounds, points and assists, points and steals, rebounds and assists, rebounds and steals, rebounds and blocked shots, assists and steals, assists and blocked shots. |
| Players with notable double-double records | Wilt Chamberlain, Tim Duncan, John Stockton, Russell Westbrook, Domantas Sabonis, Nikola Jokić, Veronica Pettry, Lester Hudson, Shakyla Hill. |
| Special cases | The NBA classifies some double-doubles as "special," such as achieving 30 or 40 in each of the two statistical categories. |
| Triple-double | A player achieves a triple-double when they reach double figures in three of the five categories. |
| Quadruple-double | A quadruple-double is achieved when a player accumulates ten or more in four of the five statistical categories. This feat is extremely rare. |
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What You'll Learn
Double-doubles are a combination of points and rebounds
A double-double is a single-game performance in which a basketball player accumulates double-digit figures in two of the five primary statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots. The most common double-double combination is points and rebounds, achieved by players taking advantage of their height and wingspan to score and collect rebounds. This combination is especially common among big men, such as power forwards and centers, who can score near the low or high post and grab multiple rebounds.
Wilt Chamberlain, with 968 double-doubles, is the career leader in this statistic. Notably, he achieved a double-double with points and rebounds in 227 consecutive games, a streak that lasted almost three NBA seasons. Tim Duncan, with 841 double-doubles, is also recognised as a leader, as all his double-doubles occurred after it became an official NBA stat.
While double-doubles are an excellent statistic for players to strive for, they do not always indicate a player's performance level. Even without achieving a double-double, a player can still have an above-average performance. Additionally, a player who acquires 10 or more turnovers alongside 10 or more points, assists, rebounds, steals, or blocks is typically not considered to have a valid double-double due to turnovers being generally considered a negative statistic.
The first "double" in the term refers to the two categories, and the second "double" refers to accumulating ten or more in that category. While double-doubles are a notable achievement, they are relatively common in the NBA, with triple-doubles, quadruple-doubles, and quintuple-doubles being rarer occurrences.
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Double-doubles are versatile and can be achieved by any player
In basketball, a double-double is a single-game performance in which a player accumulates ten or more 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.
The concept of a double-double is not limited to a particular position on the floor, as all stats are considered equally for this achievement. This versatility is what makes a double-double such a desirable statistic for players to strive for. It indicates that a player is well-rounded and skilled in various aspects of the game, showcasing their ability to excel in multiple areas on the basketball court.
Some notable players who have achieved impressive streaks of double-doubles include Wilt Chamberlain, Tim Duncan, John Stockton, and Russell Westbrook. Chamberlain, for instance, achieved a double-double with points and rebounds in 227 consecutive games, spanning almost three consecutive NBA seasons. John Stockton, on the other hand, excelled in the points-assists combination, leading the NBA in this category with 714 double-doubles.
While double-doubles are impressive, it's worth noting that they don't always indicate a player's overall performance. Even if a player doesn't achieve a double-double, it doesn't necessarily mean they had a poor or average game. Nonetheless, the pursuit of a double-double can motivate players to improve their versatility and well-roundedness on the court.
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Triple-doubles, quadruple-doubles, and quintuple-doubles
In basketball, a double-double is when a player accumulates ten or more in two of the following five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots. The next step up is a triple-double, which is achieved by a player who scores ten or more in three of the five categories. A quadruple-double is when a player scores ten or more in four categories, and a quintuple-double is achieved by a player who scores ten or more in all five categories.
Triple-doubles are a well-known achievement in basketball, with many of the sport's most famous players ranking highly for this accomplishment. The most common triple-double involves a combination of points, rebounds, and assists. However, steals or blocks can also be part of a triple-double. Some of the most notable players to achieve triple-doubles include Andy Phillip of the Philadelphia Warriors, who was the first NBA player to record a triple-double in 1950; James Harden of the Houston Rockets, who is first in the standings for most points scored in a triple-double with sixty points; and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers, who has a record of ninety-nine triple-doubles in the regular season and twenty-eight in the playoffs.
Quadruple-doubles are extremely rare, with only four players having officially recorded a quadruple-double in NBA history. The first male player in NCAA Division I history to record a quadruple-double was Lester Hudson in 2007. The first woman to achieve this feat was Veronica Pettry of Loyola–Chicago in 1989. Only three other women have officially recorded a quadruple-double since then: Shakyla Hill of Grambling State in 2018 and 2019, and Jackie Spencer of Louisville in the 1984-85 season, though this was not officially recorded by the NCAA.
Quintuple-doubles are the pinnacle of individual performance in a basketball game, requiring a player to score ten or more in all five statistical categories. Despite the many talented players in the history of the NBA, no quintuple-double has ever been officially recorded in a professional basketball game. The closest any player has come to achieving this feat is Draymond Green, who had a single-game career-high of 10 steals and 5 blocks.
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Double-doubles are an indicator of a player's performance
A double-double is a valuable indicator of a player's performance in a basketball game. It occurs when a player achieves double-digit figures in two of five primary statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots. This means that a player can showcase their versatility and contribution to the team in multiple areas.
The most common double-double combinations are points and rebounds for big men, and points and assists for guards. These combinations highlight the players' ability to score and either collect rebounds or create scoring opportunities for their teammates. For example, Wilt Chamberlain, the career leader in double-doubles, achieved an impressive 968 double-doubles, with a 227-game streak of double-doubles in points and rebounds.
Another notable player, John Stockton, excelled in the points and assists combination, leading the NBA in this category with 714 double-doubles. Stockton's expertise in the pick-and-roll with his teammate Karl Malone allowed him to accumulate a high number of points and assists.
While achieving double-doubles is an impressive feat, it is important to note that it is not the sole indicator of a player's performance. There are other factors and advanced metrics that provide a more comprehensive evaluation. Additionally, certain players may excel in specific areas that are not captured by the double-double statistic.
Nevertheless, double-doubles remain a significant milestone and a testament to a player's impact on the court. They showcase a player's ability to contribute across different categories and are sought after by players of all positions.
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The most common double-double combinations
A double-double in basketball 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.
While double-doubles and triple-doubles occur regularly each NBA season, only four quadruple-doubles have ever been officially recorded in the NBA, and no quintuple-double has ever been recorded in a professional basketball game. A similar term, the five-by-five, is the accumulation of at least five in all five statistical categories, which is extremely rare.
Reaching double figures in steals or blocks is also extremely rare. When a player reaches double figures in three of the five categories, they have achieved a triple-double, which usually consists of points, rebounds, and assists. Russell Westbrook currently holds the NBA record for the most career regular-season triple-doubles, with 198.
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Frequently asked questions
A double-double is a single-game performance in which a player accumulates ten or more in two of the following five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots.
The most common double-double combination is points and rebounds, followed by points and assists. Smaller players have also achieved double-doubles by combining points with either assists or steals.
Wilt Chamberlain is the career leader in double-doubles, with 968. Tim Duncan is also notable, with 841 double-doubles, all of which occurred after it became an official NBA stat.
