NBA History: 5 players with most 40-point triple-doubles during the regular season

#3 Russell Westbrook - 13

Russell Westbrook is the king of triple-doubles in the NBA following an outstanding 2020-21 season. He currently leads the NBA in most career regular-season triple-doubles made with 185, breaking the record on May 10, 2021, in a matchup against the Atlanta Hawks.

In the 2016-17 season, he surpassed the legendary Oscar Robertson for the most triple-doubles in a single NBA season. He ended the campaign with 42 triple-doubles, one more than what Robertson had in the 1960-61 season.

"Russell Westbrook averaging a triple-double the last 3 years is the greatest statistical feat in modern NBA history. It's probably the most impressive statistical feat since Wilt Chamberlain averaged 45 points and 24 rebounds in 1963." — @Chris_Broussard pic.twitter.com/Pp92mjNkto
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) February 11, 2019

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But when it comes to 40-point triple-doubles, Westbrook is not the most successful player. His first 40-point triple-double came in the 2014-15 season, and he has registered 12 more since then.

One achievement worthy of note is that he is the second player in NBA history to have recorded a double triple-double, Wilt Chamberlain being the other. Westbrook scored 20 points, 20 rebounds and 21 assists in a game against the LA Lakers in April 2019. Russ has averaged a triple-double in four of his last five seasons in the NBA.

#2 James Harden - 16

James Harden has 62 career triple-doubles, 58 of them coming in the regular season. However, he has 16 40-point triple-doubles after he exploded in the 2017-18 NBA season and continued his impressive run in the subsequent campaign.

Although he was drafted by the OKC Thunder in 2009, his first 40-point triple-double came in the 2016-17 season while he was with the Houston Rockets. He registered 53 points, 16 rebounds and 17 assists against the New York Knicks. Since then, he has continued to dominate, with his highest points tally reaching 60.

James Harden records his 6th 40-point triple-double this season, the most in a single season in NBA history. (via @EliasSports) pic.twitter.com/N3C53C0puY
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 18, 2017

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Harden recorded only one 40-point triple-double in the 2020-21 NBA regular season, mainly because his workload in offense has reduced since his partnership with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Nevertheless, Harden remains one of the most efficient players and can produce on any given night.

#1 Oscar Robertson - 22

Oscar Robertson talks about Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder breaking his triple-double record.

Oscar Robertson held the record for the most career triple-doubles but is currently ranked second after getting surpassed by Westbrook. Robertson was selected by the Cincinnati Royals in 1960 and averaged a triple-double season two years later, becoming the first player in NBA history to record that feat.

Although Westbrook has overthrown Robertson as the king of triple-doubles, the latter remains the player to have scored the most points achieving it. He also led the NBA in assists in six seasons in his 14-year playing career.

Westbrook has a few playing years under his belt, which means he could top this list in due time. For now, Robertson is the No. 1 40-point triple-double player in NBA history.