The Thunder entered Tuesday’s game in a rut. They needed something to uplift them after a frustrating recent stretch. Russell Westbrook gave his team just that on Tuesday night.
The Thunder point guard made history by recording 20 points, 21 assists and 20 rebounds as Oklahoma City picked up a much needed 119-103 win over the Lakers. Westbrook is the first player to record a 20-20-20 game since the great Wilt Chamberlain in 1968.
He dedicated his game to his friend, the late Nipsey Hussle who was tragically murdered on Sunday.
It didn’t start well offensively for Westbrook as he was scoreless in the opening quarter but he did come up with 10 assists and seven rebounds. That right there set the tone for his all-around performance and as we all know with Westbrook, the scoring would come.
Now Westbrook did do some stat-padding, he definitely knew about his stat line. With the game in hand and with 18 rebounds, head coach Billy Donovan attempted to sub Hamidou Diallo in for Westbrook and he waved him off so he could stay in the game. He then grabbed his two rebounds and when it was in hand, he then subbed out.
Just a game after a frustrating 106-103 loss to the Dallas Mavericks at home, where Westbrook let his frustrations be known when he refused to answer questions, and didn’t have an answer for the Thunder slump, he makes history.
With Westbrook, you never know what you’re going to get and that’s what makes it so much fun.
The Thunder now turn their attention to old friend Reggie Jackson and the Detroit Pistons at home on Friday night to wrap up a five-game homestand.
