He didn’t seem to notice. Instead, he decided to put on a performance for the ages.
Westbrook’s stat line was absurd; he posted a career-high 49 points, 16 rebounds (also a career high), and 10 assists. The only other player to score that many points en route to a triple-double is Larry Bird, who also put up 49 in 1992.
With his fourth straight triple-double, @RussWest44 joins elite company. pic.twitter.com/MpxDSAH63u
— NBA TV (@NBATV) March 5, 2015
His fourth consecutive triple-double makes him the first player to accomplish that feat since Michael Jordan did it in 1989. He becomes only the fifth player to post at least 45 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists since 1968.
It’s also important to remember that Oklahoma City is fighting for its postseason life and this remarkable performance helped secure a much-needed victory. Westbrook had a hand in all 13 of the team’s overtime points, including the final 10 points down the stretch.
Oh, and he also did this.
If you didn't watch any Russell Westbrook tonight, at least treat yourself to these 6 seconds http://t.co/wPElx7ChGy
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) March 5, 2015
But back to that triple-double. Westbrook’s output yields very few comparisons: http://t.co/XE4RFVDwPy pic.twitter.com/k8MOvBEICq
— Sporting News (@sportingnews) February 28, 2015What Westbrook is doing right now is unreal, and his production in pic.twitter.com/LTDBuTRnxW
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 5, 2015This personal onslaught of all mortals who stand in his way has swelled Westbrook’s season averages to 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 8.2 assist per game. He now leads the league in points per game (27.0), steals per game (2.1), and assist percentage (48.0).
Any way you look at it, the young guard has been dominating the league of late, and he shows no signs of letting up. Westbrook's performance last night will certainly go down as one of the greatest statistical feats in the modern era and may be a sign of things to come as we watch this 25-year-old superstar continue to blossom.