We all know Russell Westbrook is a triple double machine, but he was playing with more fire than normal and for a special someone: Nipsey Hussle.
Against the Los Angeles Lakers (who are playing without LeBron James, Kyle Kuzma, Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, etc.), Westbrook put up a historic stat line, becoming the first since Wilt Chamberlain to drop at least 20 points, 20 rebounds and 20 assists in a game. The record stood for 51 years, considering Wilt did that in 1968.
After the game, Brodie explained on national TV why he played with so much emotion, saying it was all dedicated to his brother Nip (add up the 20’s and get 60, paying homage to Hussle’s Rolling 60’s crip affiliation).
Historic night for Russell Westbrook.
20 points // 20 rebounds // 21 assists pic.twitter.com/T3tVWiOIvK— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) April 3, 2019
Give this man the MVP trophy again.
As far as the game, the Oklahoma City Thunder are fighting to move in the Western Conference seeding, currently holding on to that eighth and final spot. Though the road looks tough for them, they are only two games back of the sixth seeded Los Angeles Clippers and three and a half games back of the Utah Jazz for that fifth seed.
If Russ keeps playing like a madman like this, OKC has a legit chance to move up.
OS REWIND: Russell Westbrook Breaks Wilt Chamberlain’s Triple Double Record