Denver’s Nikola Jokic and Russell Westbrook on Friday made NBA history, becoming the first pair of teammates to record a triple-double in the same game multiple times in a single season.
Jokic finished with 35 points, 15 assists and 12 rebounds for his NBA-leading 15th triple-double of the season in the Nuggets’ 124-105 win over the Brooklyn Nets. Westbrook had 25 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
They are also the first to record a 25-point triple-double in the same regular-season game.
Photo: AP
“Wow. That’s pretty crazy. We’re watching history, folks,” Denver coach Michael Malone said.
The pair also accomplished the feat against the Utah Jazz on Dec. 30, when Jokic had 36 points, 22 rebounds and 11 assists and Westbrook had 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
After the game against the Nets, Westbrook credited Malone with giving him the freedom to play his game.
“Being able to do that allows me to be able to make guys around me better,” he said. “Try to bring this team some leadership, some energy, some toughness. We’re just getting started on figuring it out.”
Jokic had missed the previous two games with an illness before returning against the Nets. He went to the bench late in the third quarter one rebound shy of his 145th career triple-double and the Nuggets leading by 18.
Brooklyn rallied to get within five and Jokic returned and had nine points, four assists and three rebounds in the fourth.
Jokic got his 10th rebound after Westbrook blocked Keon Johnson’s shot about 7 minutes left.
Westbrook had four assists in the fourth to record his 202nd career triple-double, the most in an NBA career. It was his third triple-double this season and his first in Denver.
Elsewhere on Friday, it was:
‧ 76ers 115, Pelicans 123
‧ Bulls 138, Wizards 105
‧ Celtics 97, Kings 114
‧ Knicks 101, Thunder 126
‧ Magic 106, Bucks 109
‧ Pacers 108, Warriors 96
Taiwan’s Wu Fang-hsien and Jiang Xinyu of China yesterday won the women’s doubles title at the ASB Classic in Auckland, while Naomi Osaka retired from the women’s singles final with an abdominal injury. Second seeds Wu and Jiang defeated Serbia’s Aleksandra Krunic and Sabrina Santamaria of the US 6-3, 6-4 on ASB Tennis Centre’s Stadium Court in 1 hour, 5 minutes. The WTA 250 victory was 25-year-old Wu’s second WTA Tour title, after winning the 2023 Hua Hin Championships in Thailand with Taiwanese partner Chan Hao-ching. Later that year, Wu and Taiwan’s Hsu Yu-hsiou won the mixed doubles gold at the World
The NHL postponed the Los Angeles Kings’ home game against the Calgary Flames on Wednesday with several massive wildfires burning across the greater Los Angeles area. The Kings and Flames were scheduled to play on Wednesday night at the Kings’ downtown arena. The NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers were scheduled to host the Charlotte Hornets in the same arena last night. “Our hearts are with our entire Los Angeles community,” the Kings said in a statement. “We appreciate the hard working first responders who are diligently working to contain the fire and protect our community. We appreciate the league’s support in keeping our
EL CLASSICO: La Liga champions Real Madrid would face Barcelona in the Super Cup final tomorrow. Barca secured their final spot after a 2-0 win over Bilbao on Wednesday Real Madrid would chase a record-equaling 14th Spanish Super Cup title in the final against Barcelona after second-half goals by Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo helped them to a 3-0 win over Mallorca in the semi-finals on Thursday. England midfielder Bellingham broke the deadlock after the hour mark with a low shot into the middle of the goal before Mallorca defender Martin Valjent’s own goal doubled the lead in stoppage time followed by a Rodrygo strike from close range. Spanish champions Real are to play Barcelona for the trophy tomorrow after goals by Gavi and Lamine Yamal earned Barca a 2-0 win over
Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson said an unnamed Everton player “had a pop” at him after he denied Tyler Young the opportunity to come on as a substitute against his father Ashley in Thursday’s English FA Cup third round match. While former England international Ashley came off the bench in the second half for Everton, Tyler was an unused sub in the game at Goodison Park. Everton won 2-0 against the third-division team. “I’ve got to do what’s best for my team and we’re not a charity case,” Ferguson said. “As much as I wanted Tyler to go on with his dad, one