'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
One of the biggest in-game achievements in basketball is posting a triple-double. NBA players who achieve this honor contribute in every way possible to lead the team to victory. A triple-double is achieved when a player records double-digits in any three of the five statistical categories - the five categories being points, assists, rebounds, blocks, and steals.
We often witness some incredible triple-doubles in the league, such as when Draymond Green in 2017 became the first player ever to record a triple-double, not including points. Other rare triple-doubles have featured Hassan Whiteside who has four to his name and all have come with 10+ blocks instead of double-digit assists.
10 NBA Players who recorded the most triple-doubles
A triple-double is certainly not as rare as it used to be. We see players reaching a triple-double faster than ever before. Yet, achieving a triple-double isn't easy as it requires a player to be versatile and a two-way force. Let's rank 10 NBA players who racked up the most triple-doubles in NBA history.
#10 Nikola Jokic - 41
Denver Nuggets center, Nikola Jokic, is considered one of the best passing big men in the league. His court vision and nifty passing, along with his scoring ability, make him an offensive threat every game. Jokic led the Denver Nuggets to two consecutive 3-1 comebacks in the 2020 NBA playoffs.
In February of 2018, Nikola Jokic posted the fastest triple-double in NBA history in just 14 minutes. At halftime of that game, his stat-line read 16 points, 11 rebounds, 12 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks.
#9 Fat Lever - 43
Lafayette "Fat" Lever was a two-time All-Star during his time with the Denver Nuggets. He was considered one of the most underrated players of his time and was a triple-double threat almost every night.
In 1985 against the Indiana Pacers, Lever posted a triple-double with 10 steals. Two years later in a game against the New Jersey Nets, he was two steals shy of a quadruple-double. Lever led the Nuggets in rebounding for four straight seasons, despite standing just 6 feet, 3 inches, and he holds the record for most steals in Nuggets history with 1167.
#8 James Harden - 46
James Harden is one of the best scorers in the NBA. He is the face of the Houston Rockets franchise and has led the league in scoring for the past three years. Harden also led the league in assists in 2017.
James Harden is in his 12th year in the league and is going to rack up more triple-doubles to his name. He has the most 50-point triple-doubles in NBA history with four and has the NBA's only 60-point triple-double.
#7 Larry Bird - 59
Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird was one of the most talented players the NBA has ever seen. Larry Bird, along with Magic Johnson, was the face of the NBA in the 1980s and he is the only player to have won the league MVP three times in a row.
Larry Bird was a triple-double threat every time he stepped on the floor as his height allowed him to play the forward position yet he moved like a guard earning him the title of "point-forward". Bird was such a talented player that is he is the only player on this list also featuring in the "50-40-90 club".
#6 Wilt Chamberlain - 78
One of the most dominating players and greatest centers of all time, Wilt Chamberlain, has way too many records to his name. He is the only player with a 100-point game, has the highest points-per-game average in a season with 50.4, and also holds the record for the most points in a season with 4,029.
Wilt Chamberlain led the league in rebounds for 11 years, has seven scoring titles, and also led the league in total assists one year. Chamberlain also holds the record for most 50-point games (118) and his triple-doubles often featured figures in 20+ stats.
#5 LeBron James - 94
It was inevitable for "King James" to be on this list. He is often regarded as the best player in the league and is the only active player with four NBA titles. LeBron James is a four-time league MVP, four-time Finals MVP, and a 16-time All-Star. He has the most points in NBA playoff history and is third all-time in regular season points.
Although 5th on this list, we all know him for being his best when it matters most. LeBron James has the most Finals triple-doubles and the second-most playoff triple-doubles, trailing the leader by just two. James is entering his 18th season in the NBA and his tally of triple-doubles is likely to go up.
#4 Jason Kidd - 107
Jason Kidd was one of the best defensive guards in the NBA. In his 19-year career, he was a 10-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA First Team selections, and nine-time All-Defensive Team selection. Kidd played for five teams as a point guard in the NBA and his most memorable stints were with the New Jersey Nets and Dallas Mavericks.
Jason Kidd won an NBA title with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011 alongside Dirk Nowitzki. He had a great passing aptitude and led the league in assists five times. Kidd has the second most assists and steals in NBA history.
#3 Magic Johnson - 138
Regarded by many as one of the best point guards to have ever played the game, Magic Johnson is an LA Lakers legend. He led the team to nine NBA finals, winning five titles, and is a three-time league MVP. The 12-time All-Star led the league in assists four times and in steals twice. Magic Johnson is the all-time leader in playoff triple-doubles and ranks second in Finals triple-doubles.
Magic Johnson is considered one of the most influential players of his generation. Johnson, along with Larry Bird, was the face of the NBA in the 1980s. Known for his quality assists, he is one of the finest playmakers the league has ever seen.
#2 Russell Westbrook - 146
Russell Westbrook is known as the "Triple-Double King" of this generation. He has racked up triple-doubles with tremendous pace is now second all-time in triple-doubles. Many people predict he will achieve the first rank by the end of his career.
Russell Westbrook played 11 years with the Oklahoma City Thunder where he blossomed into a star, and after playing one season with the Houston Rockets, he was recently traded to the Washington Wizards. Westbrook is the only player to average a triple-double for three straight seasons and he holds the record for most triple-doubles in a season with 42.
#1 Oscar Robertson - 181
Also Known as "Mr. Triple Double" and "Big O", Oscar Robertson was is one of the greatest players to have played the game. In his 14 years as an NBA player, he made 12 consecutive All-Star Games and had 11 All-NBA selections. Robertson led the league in assists six times and was the league MVP in 1964.
Oscar Robertson won an NBA title with the Milwaukee Bucks alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1971. Both of his jersey numbers have been retired, No. 14 for the Cincinnati Royals and No. 1 for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Also Read: NBA 2020-21: The 10 Best Point Guards
Guess the Lakers players!
