DeMarcus Cousins Has Huge Triple Double in Pelicans’ Win Over Bulls

New Orleans center DeMarcus Cousins had a big night in the Pelicans’ 132-128 double overtime win over the Chicago Bulls in New Orleans on January 22nd. Cousins scored 44 points, grabbed 24 rebounds and had 10 assists in the game. This is the first NBA triple double of at least 40 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists since Kareem Addul-Jabbar did it in 1972. Besides Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain accomplished the feat six times, and Oscar Robertson and Elgin Baylor once each, according to NBA.com. All four are in the Basketball Hall of Fame. Besides Cousins’ game, Baylor’s, Abdul-Jabbar’s and one of Chamberlain’s games were overtime games, though Cousins’ is the first double overtime game on the list.

Anthony Davis contributed 34 points to the victory. Cousins (25.6 points per game and 12.9 rebounds per game) and power forward Davis (26.7 points per game, 10.5 rebounds) make up a potent front court for the Pelicans, who are 25-21, sixth best in the NBA Western Conference. The Pelicans are in a position to make the playoffs, something that Cousins has not experienced. He spent his first seven years with Sacramento, including most of last season when he was traded to New Orleans in February. The Kings did not make the playoffs during his time in Sacramento, and the Pelicans missed out last year.