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Russell Westbrook Triple-Double Watch: Game 31, vs. the Timberwolves

Russell Westbrook, through 30 games. (Yahoo Sports illustration)
Russell Westbrook, through 30 games. (Yahoo Sports illustration)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook is threatening to become the first NBA player to average a triple-double since Cincinnati Royals Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson achieved the double-figure points, assists and rebounds mark during the 1961-62 NBA season. A lot has changed in the league since then, which is why Westbrook’s current averages of 31.8 points, 10.8 assists and 10.5 rebounds would make such a feat a remarkable achievement in line with some of the greatest individual seasons in NBA history. If not the greatest individual season in NBA history.

As Westbrook takes on each new opponent while the OKC season drawls on, we’ll be updating his chances at matching the Big O’s feat.

If you’re joining us for the first time, after letting the NBA kick the can around for two months prior to its Christmas Day showcase, welcome! You’ve stepped into some heady times as Russell Westbrook, as detailed above, is nearly halfway to something special.

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After 30 games, Russ is working with some rather exceptional averages. We’re so immersed in the day-to-day brilliance that at times even the most appreciative of us have to step back to remind ourselves that we’ve more or less normalized the astonishing feat of not only notching a triple-double, but contributing as much with over the top scoring numbers to boot.

This is where Westbrook is at right now, after finishing off a 45-point, 11-rebound and 11-assist turn against the Boston Celtics on Friday night. If he approximate the play he’s given his Oklahoma City Thunder over the next four months, the triple-double average will be his.

No easy feat, we’ll remind. He’ll have to average 9.7 rebounds and 9.55 assists per contest over the final 52 games to pull this off. If Russell wants to keep over 30 points a night, he’ll need to average 29 points per game.

That’s a 29-point, 9.7-rebound, 9.5-assist run. Nobody’s ever done that since, well, Oscar Robertson.

We had an idea things would be nutty well before the season began, but this is ridiculous.

He started the season in an ornery mood, tossing numbers all over the place, and though ex-teammate Kevin Durant reminding us that there remains “no beef” between the former Thunder stars, Westbrook’s knowing presentation prior to his team’s eventual loss to Durant’s Golden State Warriors in November seemed to indicate otherwise. Russell hopped into the triple-double strata after just 19 games, compiling a series of triple-doubles that left him ranked fifth all-time in the total category after just a month’s worth of 2016-17 play – jutting past LeBron James in the category despite playing five fewer seasons.

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These numbers aren’t getting in the way of wins, as the Celtics and Wizards can attest to. The Hawks would be included in that list as well, had the league (as the NBA itself admitted) not blown a pair of calls against Westbrook late in OKC’s recent loss to Atlanta. The Thunder are 18-12 entering Sunday’s game against the Timberwolves, on pace for 50 wins while Westbrook enjoys his MVP season.

Sure, there have been some missteps along the way – the shot to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope sticks out a bit – but in spite of Russell himself rolling his eyes at our triple-double obsession, we’re going to keep it up. For good reason.

Enjoy this gift.

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Kelly Dwyer is an editor for Ball Don’t Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at KDonhoops@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!