Russell Westbrook Scores 51 points in Triple Double

With Kevin Durant now playing for the Golden State Warriors, it looks like Russell Westbrook will take it upon himself to carry the Oklahoma City Thunder, at least in the early going of the NBA season. In the Thunders’ second game of the season on October 28th, Westbrook scored 51 points, had 13 rebounds, and 10 assists in Oklahoma City’s 113-110 victory over the Phoenix Suns. It was the first 50 point triple double since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had one in 1975, and the highest scoring one since Elgin Baylor hit 52 points in a triple double in 1961, both as members of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Westbrook just missed a triple double in the Thunder’s 103-97 opening night victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. He scored 32 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and had nine assists in that one. It’s not a pace he can keep up of course, but he can buy the revamped Thunder some time as they come together as a team.