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Registering a triple-double is an achievement on its own, especially in today's NBA, where players score at a more efficient rate. Even so, some players have played their hearts out to make sure they stuff the stat sheet as often as possible.
Triple-doubles happen when a player registers double digits in any three of the five NBA stat-lines in a single game. Although getting double-digits in points, rebounds, and assists is the most common type of triple-double, few players have achieved triple doubles with other parameters too.
Draymond Green is a perfect example of that, as the Golden State Warriors forward registered a triple-double with steals. In a game against the Memphis Grizzlies in 2017, he registered 12 rebounds, ten assists and ten steals.
Even as most players have had heroic runs leading to triple-doubles, our focus is on ones that have achieved it on a more regular basis. It will be interesting to know that some players have had full NBA careers without recording a single triple-double. However, Luka Doncic deserves an honorable mentionm as the youngster has registered 36 triple-doubles in only three years.
On that note, here are the five players with the most triple-doubles in the 21st century.
#5 Nikola Jokic - 57
Among the 20 players to register multiple triple-doubles in the 21st century, Nikola Jokic is the only center, and he sits at number five. He was selected by the Denver Nuggets in the 2014 NBA Draft with the 41st overall pick, and has since then continued to develop as an all-around player.
Jokic, who became the first second-round pick to win an NBA MVP award, registered his first triple-double during his sophomore season in a game against the Milwaukee Bucks. He ended that game with 20 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists.
So far, the 26-year-old big man has reached the triple-double milestone 57 times in his career. With more NBA action in the coming years, the evolving Serbian has enough time to climb higher up the list. The 2021-22 NBA season will be a great start, as he is expected to lead the team again owing to Jamal Murray's continued absence due to injury.
#4 James Harden - 58
James Harden joined the league in 2009 after he was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder as the third overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft. Barring his playoff failures, his 12-year NBA player has been incredible, as he has led the league in scoring for three consecutive seasons and was named the MVP in 2018.
It took Harden four years to get going in the triple-double department, as his first came in 2013. Although he came close on several occasions, he hit the mark on the second of February in a game against the Charlotte Hornets. He ended that night with 21 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists.
Harden has a chance to move up this list, as the player ranked directly above him is retired.
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#3 Jason Kidd - 76
Jason Kidd was drafted in 1994 and played in the NBA for 19 years. Although he is fourth on the all-time list with 107 triple-doubles, only 76 of them came in the 21st century.
Kidd's first triple-double of the 21st century came on January 5, in a game against the then Vancouver Grizzlies. In a 108-76 victory, he led the Phoenix Suns with an 11-point, 14-assist and 10-rebound triple-double.
Although Kidd played in the NBA till the end of the 2012-13 season, all his major accolades and accomplishments came in 2011. His last triple-double came during the 2010-11 season in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers, where he recorded 13 points, 13 assists and ten rebounds.
That same season, the Dallas Mavericks went all the way in the NBA playoffs, defeating the Miami Heat super team to clinch the title. It would be his first and only NBA title of his 19-year career.
#2 LeBron James - 99
It is nearly impossible to compile a list of high achievers in the NBA and not include LeBron James' name. That is why his case for being the greatest basketball player of all time is so strong. He is undoubtedly the best all-around player in the league. His high basketball IQ helps him process the game at a higher level than most other players.
James made his way into the NBA after he was selected as the 1st overall pick in the 2003 draft. However, his first career triple-double came in the 2004-05 season in a game against the Portland Trail Blazers. He tallied 27 points, 11 rebounds and ten assists to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to victory. Since then, King James has recorded 98 more triple-doubles, the second most of all active players in the NBA.
#1 Russell Westbrook - 184
Russell Westbrook holds the record for the most triple-doubles in the NBA, with a tally of 184. His 38 triple-doubles in the 2020-21 NBA season helped him surpass the great Oscar Robertson, who was the erstwhile record holder with 181 triple-doubles.
While many have criticized the veteran guard for chasing stats rather than playing the game, no one can take away from the fact that Russ plays his heart out every night and fights to help his team secure victories. Having a player like Russ on your roster is advised, as he can be a life-saver on nights when other players are feeling out of it.
The 2021 offseason has been very eventful, with Westbrook taking his talents to the LA Lakers. With LeBron James in the team, the triple-double machine might not have as much freedom to take over games. However, he was brought in for his unique skill set, and the purple and gold would undoubtedly love to see him at his full potential.
