In Friday night's road game against the Phoenix Suns, Russell Westbrook became the first player in 55 years to average a triple-double. His sixth assist in the away game helped Westbrook clinch the triple-double for his 2016-17 NBA season. Westbrook officially averaged double-digit stats for points, rebounds, and assists. The Oklahoma City Thunder guard joined NBA legend Oscar Robertson aka "The Big O" as the only stars to have done so in an NBA season.

Making NBA history

Just a few days ago, Westbrook nearly made NBA history in his team's win against the Memphis Grizzlies.

However, the Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star came up one rebound short of setting the season record for triple-doubles. Tonight he was able to achieve an assist to teammate Victor Oladipo to put him in the history books for averaging three categories with double-digit stats.

As mentioned, Westbrook has now joined some exclusive company with Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson. Back in the 1961-62 season, "The Big O" averaged 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 11.4 assists to become the first-ever to have a triple-double for the season. In this latest season, Westbrook has averages of 31.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists.

While both Robertson and Westbrook are now in the history books, there are also some interesting differences.

It's been said that Westbrook has accomplished this feat while playing 10 fewer minutes and with 25 fewer possessions per game than Robertson did in his heyday. As fans know, the NBA game has changed over the years too with various rules implemented and the three-point shot. The three-point line didn't come about until the 1979-80 season, which was about 20 years after Robertson's history-making feat.

Chasing NBA record

With Westbrook's Thunder already qualified for the NBA Playoffs, the OKC guard could still make some more NBA history of his own. Right now, Westbrook is tied with Robertson for most triple-doubles in a season with 41 total. One more this season and Westbrook gets the record all to himself.

In Friday night's game, Westbrook ended up just two assists shy of the single-season record with a stat line of 23 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists.

He still has a few more games left in order to achieve the history-making feat.

Oklahoma City plays at Denver on Sunday starting at 5 p.m. Eastern Time, and then at Minnesota next Tuesday at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on NBA TV. The Thunder will wrap up their regular season with a home game against Denver on Wednesday at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.

As of right now, Westbrook is also fourth all time in terms of overall triple-doubles recorded in the NBA during a career. As of this report, Westbrook has 78 triple-doubles which is tied with another legend, Wilt Chamberlain.
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