Learn what a triple-double is, the common stats involved for achieving it and the players who have had the most triple-doubles in NBA history in this comprehensive guide
Triple-Doubles in Basketball: A Comprehensive Guide
While watching basketball, you’ll notice the term “triple-double” will make its way into broadcasts quite frequently. As players stuff the stat sheet and get closer to hitting landmark totals that add significance to their performances, announcers or on-screen graphics will be sure to keep you alert to the possibility that a triple-double may be occurring.
But what exactly is a triple-double? Whether you’re new to basketball or just interested in a deep dive on all things triple-doubles, we’ve got you covered. This will lay out all you need to know about triple-doubles, including the various ways to record one, the NBA’s all-time leaders in the stat, why they are important and how they are applicable in fantasy basketball.
What Is A Triple-Double?
The NBA defines a triple-double as follows: “When a player reaches double figures in three of the five statistical categories – points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks – they have achieved a triple-double.”
The NBA’s definition goes on to note that “nearly all triple-doubles consist of points, rebounds, and assists” because “reaching double figures in steals or blocks is extremely rare.”
That doesn’t mean it can’t happen or hasn’t happened, but by far the most common occurrence is going to be through those three main statistical categories.
The Various Ways To Get a Triple-Double
Again, there are five main stat categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. Reaching double figures in any three of these stat categories in a single game results in a triple-double. For example, if a player has 10 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, that is a triple-double.
Players can record a triple-double without scoring 10 points as long as they reach double figures in any three of the other main stat categories. This, however, has only happened once in NBA history, because it’s incredibly difficult to pull off. In 2017, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green became the first and only NBA player to record a triple-double without scoring 10 points. Green tallied 12 rebounds, 10 assists, 10 steals and just 4 points in a 122-107 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Also, no player has ever recorded 10 blocks and 10 steals in the same game. Houston Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon came the closest against the Seattle SuperSonics on March 10, 1987, finishing with a triple-double of 38 points, 17 rebounds and 12 blocks, plus 7 steals. He’s the only player in NBA history to record at least 7 blocks and 7 steals in the same game.
One thing you cannot do to get a triple-double is shoot at your own basket on purpose in an attempt to get a rebound and pad your stats. While playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003, Ricky Davis infamously attempted to do just that. In the waning seconds of a blowout win over the Utah Jazz, as he sat on 9 rebounds, Davis took an inbounds pass and went at his own basket, missing on purpose and getting the “rebound.” He was not credited with it — but he was fouled hard afterwards for the show of disrespect.
Who Has the Most Triple-Doubles in NBA History?
Russell Westbrook is the NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles with 199. He has 18 more triple-doubles than any other player in NBA history and his career isn’t quite over, so he still has time to add to that total.
Here are the NBA’s all-time leaders in triple-doubles, with five active players (in bold) in the top 10:
1. Russell Westbrook, 199
2. Oscar Robertson, 181
3. Magic Johnson, 138
4. Nikola Jokic, 130
5. LeBron James, 112
6. Jason Kidd, 107
7. Wilt Chamberlain, 78
8T. Luka Doncic, 77
8T. James Harden, 77
10. Larry Bird, 59
Which Active NBA Players Have The Most Triple-Doubles?
The top two leaders in career triple-doubles among active players are now teammates on the Denver Nuggets: Westbrook (199) and Jokic (130).
Westbrook joined Denver this offseason, reportedly signing a two-year deal worth $6.8 million. The former MVP will now have a chance to play alongside Jokic, the three-time MVP, and they’ll be able to stuff the stat sheet together.
Here are the NBA’s active leaders in triple-doubles:
1. Russell Westbrook, 199
2. Nikola Jokic, 130
3. LeBron James, 112
4T. Luka Doncic, 77
4T. James Harden, 77
6. Domantas Sabonis, 58
7. Giannis Antetokounmpo, 45
8. Ben Simmons, 33
9. Draymond Green, 32
10. Kyle Lowry, 21
Triple-Doubles In Fantasy Basketball
Triple-doubles are extremely valuable in fantasy basketball, as it means a player is filling the stat sheet in multiple categories. This is incredibly beneficial in both points leagues and nine-category leagues.
Last year, Dallas Mavericks forward Luka Doncic led all NBA players in fantasy points per game (59.34), followed by Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (59.30 FPPG), Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (57.18 FPPG), and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (55.75 FPPG).
It’s no coincidence that Doncic, Jokic, and Antetokounmpo were also among the league leaders in total triple-doubles – all ranking in the top four.
Further reading:
Frequently Asked Questions
Who led the NBA in triple-doubles last season?
During the 2023-24 NBA season, Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis led the NBA in triple-doubles with 26. Sabonis came close to averaging a triple-double, posting 19.4 points, 13.7 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game.
As a result, Sabonis was terrific in fantasy leagues, averaging the eighth-most fantasy points per game (47.69) and shining in category leagues as well.
Here were the triple-double leaders during the 2023-24 NBA season:
1. Domantas Sabonis, 26
2. Nikola Jokic, 25
3. Luka Doncic, 21
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, 10
5. Josh Hart, 6
6. LeBron James, 5
7. Scottie Barnes, 4
8T. Josh Giddey, 3
8T. James Harden, 3
10T. Bam Adebayo, 2
10T. Paolo Banchero, 2
10T. Anthony Davis, 2
10T. Joel Embiid, 2
10T. Alperen Sengun, 2
10T. Victor Wembanyama, 2
Has an NBA player ever averaged a triple-double over a full season?
Only two NBA players have averaged a triple-double over a full season: Westbrook and Oscar Robertson. Robertson was the first player to achieve this feat, averaging 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 11.4 assists in 1961-62 – just his second NBA season. The Hall-of-Famer never averaged a triple-double again, although he came very close several times (including in 1963-64 when he put up 31.4 points, 11.0 assists, and 9.9 rebounds per game).
Westbrook remarkably achieved this feat in four seasons. In 2016-17, he averaged 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists, which earned him NBA MVP honors. The following year, he posted 25.4 points, 10.3 assists, and 10.1 rebounds per game. In 2018-19, Westbrook hit the landmark for a third consecutive year with the Oklahoma City Thunder, averaging 22.9 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 10.7 assists. Finally, during the 2020-21 season, Westbrook tallied 22.2 points, 11.7 assists, and 11.5 rebounds per game as a member of the Washington Wizards.
Who recorded the most consecutive triple-doubles in NBA history?
By now, you can probably guess who holds this record.
To nobody’s surprise, it’s Westbrook. In 2019, he posted a triple-double in an NBA-record 11 straight games, spanning from Jan. 22 to Feb. 14. For nearly a full month, he recorded a triple-double every time he stepped on the court! Over the course of the 11 games, Westbrook averaged 21.9 points, 13.5 assists, and 13.3 rebounds per game.
The previous record-holder was NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain, who recorded a triple-double in nine consecutive games in 1968.
Earlier this year, Doncic made NBA history by recording six consecutive 30-point triple-doubles — the most in NBA history. Over that span, he averaged 36.3 points, 11.5 assists, and 11.0 rebounds per game.
Has anyone ever recorded a quadruple-double?
Only four players in NBA history have recorded a quadruple-double: Nate Thurmond, Alvin Robertson, Olajuwon, and David Robinson.
In 1974, Thurmond had 22 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists, and 12 blocks while leading the Chicago Bulls to a 120-115 win over the Atlanta Hawks.
In 1986, Robertson became the only guard in NBA history to achieve this feat, tallying 20 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 steals while leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 120-114 win over the Phoenix Suns.
In 1990, Olajuwon totaled 18 points, 16 rebounds, 11 blocks, and 10 assists in Houston's 120-94 win over the Bucks.
In 1994, Robinson became the most recent player to record a quadruple-double, filling the stat sheet to the tune of 34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 blocks in the Spurs' 115-96 win over the Detroit Pistons.
Interestingly, the Spurs are responsible for two of the four quadruple-doubles in NBA history. And, considering his size and skill set, don’t be surprised if young sensation Victor Wembanyama becomes the third San Antonio player to join the quadruple-double club in the near future.
Stuff the Stat Sheet With Sleeper
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