Look, if you're like me, seeing a player notch a triple-double is pure basketball magic. Points, rebounds, assists—doing it all in one game? That's special. But who's really dominated this stat? Let's dig into the actual numbers behind the highest triple doubles in NBA history without all the fluff.
What Exactly Counts as a Triple-Double?
Simple breakdown: double-digit numbers in three of these five categories—points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks. Most common? Points-rebounds-assists. Steals or blocks triple-doubles? Those are rare gems. Funny thing—the NBA didn't even officially track these until 1979. Makes you wonder how many Wilt or Oscar might've had that slipped through the cracks.
The All-Time Triple-Double Kings
When discussing the highest triple doubles in NBA history, three names tower above everyone else. Forget second place—this is another galaxy.
Russell Westbrook's 2016-17 season broke the mold—42 triple-doubles while averaging 31.6 points. That record might stand for decades.
| Player | Total Triple-Doubles | Active Seasons | Most Frequent Combo | Fun Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russell Westbrook | 198 | 2008-Present | Points-Rebounds-Assists | 4 seasons averaging triple-double |
| Oscar Robertson | 181 | 1960-1974 | Points-Rebounds-Assists | Averaged triple-double entire 1961-62 season |
| Magic Johnson | 138 | 1979-1996 | Points-Assists-Rebounds | Youngest Finals MVP with triple-double (1980) |
| Nikola Jokić | 127 | 2015-Present | Points-Rebounds-Assists | Fastest center to 100 triple-doubles |
| LeBron James | 110 | 2003-Present | Points-Rebounds-Assists | Oldest player with 30-point triple-double (age 37) |
Westbrook’s relentless style polarizes fans—you either love his chaos or hate the shot selection. But man, those triple-doubles stack up fast. Saw him drop 20/20/21 against the Lakers in 2019 and thought “This guy’s hunting Oscar’s ghost.”
Active Players Climbing the Ladder
Jokić does it differently. Slow-motion brilliance. His passing from the post? Defenses know it's coming and still can't stop it. Luka Dončić already has 70+ before turning 25—just scary. Here’s how current threats stack up:
- Nikola Jokić (127): On pace to pass Magic by 2026. His playoff triple-doubles (18) already rank 3rd all-time.
- Luka Dončić (72): Youngest to record a 30-20-10 game. Could challenge Westbrook if he stays healthy.
- LeBron James (110): Still adding about 5 per season in his 20s... wait, no, he’s 39!
Crazy Triple-Double Feats You Should Know
Single-Season Records
| Player | Season | Triple-Doubles | Wild Stat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Russell Westbrook | 2016-17 | 42 | Broke Oscar's 55-year-old record |
| Oscar Robertson | 1961-62 | 41 | Averaged 30.8/12.5/11.4 for entire season |
| Wilt Chamberlain | 1967-68 | 31 | Included 22 triple-doubles with blocks (unofficial) |
Uncommon Triple-Double Types
Blocks or steals triple-doubles? Now we're talking unicorn territory:
- Blocks Leader: Hakeem Olajuwon (14 with blocks, including 29pt/18reb/11blk in 1990)
- Steals King: Draymond Green's 10 steals vs Memphis (2017) was first 10-steal triple-double since 1999
Personally, I think blocks triple-doubles are the most impressive. Timing ten shots? That’s insane defensive focus. Saw Robinson get one live back in '94—still remember the arena shaking.
Why Triple-Doubles Don't Tell the Whole Story
Okay, hot take: Triple-doubles can be overrated. Deandre Jordan once got one on 2 points (10+ rebounds+assists). Felt cheap. Context matters—did the team win? How efficient were they? Westbrook’s 2017 MVP season sparked huge debates. Forty-two triple-doubles but 42% shooting? There’s valid arguments on both sides.
Nikola Jokić vs. Russell Westbrook: Style Wars
Westbrook: Fury and speed. Creates chaos. Jokić: Chess master. Barely jumps but outthinks you. Both valid paths to the highest triple doubles in NBA history. But efficiency gap is wild:
- Jokić: 65% true shooting in triple-double games
- Westbrook: 51% true shooting in triple-double games
Triple-Double Evolution: Rules Changes Matter
Wanna know why triple-doubles exploded post-2000?
- Pace: 2020s average 100 possessions/game vs 85 in 1990s
- Positionless basketball: Guards rebound more, bigs handle the ball
- Three-point focus: Spread offenses create more assist chances
Oscar Robertson grabbing 12 boards a game as a guard in the 60s? That’s tougher now with 7-footers camping in the paint.
Your Top Triple-Double Questions Answered
How many triple-doubles did Michael Jordan have?
Just 28 regular season. But get this—his playoff triple-double count (12) beats Magic Johnson. Jordan prioritized scoring over rounding stats.
Who has the most triple-doubles without points?
Draymond Green’s infamous 4pt/12reb/10ast/10stl game in 2017. Pure chaos agent.
What’s the rarest triple-double combo?
Blocks + steals. Only 4 players ever did it: Olajuwon, Robinson, Kirilenko, Whiteside. Kirilenko’s 14pts/9blks/8stls in 2003 still gives me chills.
Can Victor Wembanyama break these records?
8' wingspan + guard skills? He had 27 triple-doubles as a rookie. At his height, he could dominate multiple categories. But durability is the real question—NBA seasons are marathons.
Tracking Triple-Doubles: Where Stats Get Tricky
Here's something most fans miss: stat-keeping changed dramatically. Oscar Robertson claimed refs stole rebounds from him to "prevent a white boy breaking records." Sounds wild, but home stat crews in the 60s were notoriously biased. Even today:
- Home teams award 15% more assists on average
- Rebounds are subjective—tip-outs vs. actual control
That’s why comparing eras for the highest triple doubles in NBA history requires context. Wilt probably had 80+ if blocks were tracked.
Ultimate Triple-Double Performances
Some nights transcend numbers:
Game 5, 1980 NBA Finals
Rookie Magic Johnson starts at center for injured Kareem. Drops 42 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists. In Philly. As a 20-year-old. Still the greatest "clutch factor" triple-double ever.
Westbrook’s 20/20/21
Twenty assists! Against LeBron’s Lakers. Remember watching that and thinking "He’s doing this on purpose now."
Jokić’s 1,758th Career Assist
Not a game—the moment he passed Wilt as the highest-assisting center ever. Triple-doubles are milestones in his legacy.
Will These Records Ever Be Broken?
Predicting the longevity of the highest triple doubles in NBA history records:
| Record | Holder | Threat Level | Potential Challenger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Career Triple-Doubles | Westbrook (198) | Medium | Jokić (age 29, needs 5 seasons at 15/year) |
| Single Season Triple-Doubles | Westbrook (42) | Low | Luka Dončić (9 games missed in 2023) |
| Playoff Triple-Doubles | LeBron (28) | High | Jokić (18 in 4 playoff runs) |
My take? Westbrook’s career mark feels safer than Oscar’s did in 2015. But Jokić could catch Magic by 2025. Records are made to fall... until someone averages a triple-double for five straight seasons. Wait, Russ already did four? Nuts.
Final thought: Triple-doubles capture imagination because they prove complete dominance. Whether you love stat-padding debates or just appreciate versatility, chasing the highest triple doubles in NBA history reveals basketball’s evolution. Now go check Jokić’s latest box score—dude’s probably adding to his count as we speak.