About Triple-Doubles in the NBA
The triple-double is one of basketball's most celebrated statistical achievements. It requires a player to reach double figures (10 or more) in three of five statistical categories in a single game: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. The most common combination is points, rebounds, and assists, as these are the three categories where players most frequently accumulate high numbers.
Russell Westbrook holds the all-time record for career triple-doubles with 199, surpassing Oscar Robertson's long-standing record of 181 in 2021. Westbrook also holds the single-season record with 42 triple-doubles during the 2016-17 season, when he became only the second player in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire season (following Robertson in 1961-62).
Nikola Jokic has redefined what a center can do in the modern NBA. His court vision and passing ability have led to triple-double numbers previously unseen from the center position. LeBron James and Luka Doncic represent the versatile wing archetype that can fill every column of the stat sheet.
The Evolution of the Triple-Double
In the early decades of the NBA, triple-doubles were not officially tracked as a statistic. Oscar Robertson's famous 1961-62 season, where he averaged 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 11.4 assists, was not recognized as a "triple-double season average" at the time because the term did not yet exist. The term "triple-double" was coined in the 1980s and has since become one of the most watched-for achievements in the sport.
Rare Triple-Double Variants
While the points-rebounds-assists triple-double is by far the most common, some of the rarest achievements involve steals and blocks. Only five players in NBA history have recorded a triple-double with steals as one of the three categories involving 10+ steals. A triple-double with blocks is similarly rare, requiring dominant defensive performance alongside offensive versatility.
The quadruple-double (four categories with 10+) has only been officially recorded four times in NBA history: by Nate Thurmond, Alvin Robertson, Hakeem Olajuwon, and David Robinson. A quintuple-double (all five categories) has never been recorded in an NBA game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the most career triple-doubles in NBA history?
Russell Westbrook holds the all-time record with 199 career triple-doubles, surpassing Oscar Robertson's 181. Oscar held the record for over 50 years before Westbrook broke it in 2021.
Has anyone averaged a triple-double for an entire season?
Yes. Oscar Robertson was the first to do it in 1961-62, averaging 30.8/12.5/11.4. Russell Westbrook accomplished it three consecutive seasons (2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19) and again in 2020-21. Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic have also flirted with season-long triple-double averages.
What is a quadruple-double?
A quadruple-double is when a player records 10+ in four statistical categories in a single game. It has only been done four times in NBA history: Nate Thurmond (1974), Alvin Robertson (1986), Hakeem Olajuwon (1990), and David Robinson (1994).
What are the five categories for triple-doubles?
The five categories are points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. A triple-double requires reaching 10+ in any three of these five categories in a single game. The most common combination is points, rebounds, and assists.
Why are triple-doubles more common now than in the past?
Several factors contribute: faster pace of play, more versatile player roles (especially position-less basketball), better tracking of statistics, and a style of play that encourages ball-handling bigs and rebounding guards. The rise of players like LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, and Nikola Jokic has normalized triple-double frequency.