Back in the day, it wasn’t usual to see players getting a triple-double. The slower pace didn’t allow teams to have as many possessions as they do nowadays. Also, players seem to be more complete overall in today’s basketball.
A few guys have made a habit out of filling up the stat sheet, so some fans are now unfazed and unimpressed by triple-doubles. But make no mistake, for it’s still one of the hardest things to accomplish.
This year, we’ve seen some outstanding performances from some of the best players in the league. Today, we’re going to honor those stat-sheet-stuffers by letting you know about the top 15 players with the most triple-doubles this season, according to StatMuse.
15. Bam Adebayo
2 Triple-Doubles In 59 Games
It didn’t take long before Bam Adebayo established himself as one of the league’s top-tier big men. His game isn’t flashy but it is extremely efficient, and more than that, he’s got quite a high basketball IQ and playmaking skills that aren’t usual for a guy his size. This season, he’s averaging 18.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game.
14. Mason Plumlee
2 Triple-Doubles In 53 Games
While Mason Plumlee has never been a superstar, he’s always been lauded for his high intelligence and all the little things he does on the court to help his team. This season, the tanking Detroit Pistons have given him a long leash and even put the ball on his hands a couple of times. He’s averaging a career-high 3.6 assists per game to go along with 10.3 points and 9.3 rebounds.
13. Kyle Lowry
2 Triple-Doubles In 46 Games
There was a lot of speculation about Kyle Lowry’s future this season but eventually, he stood with the Toronto Raptors. He’s not getting any younger but, injuries aside, he’s shown no signs of slowing down whatsoever, averaging 17.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game this season, even though his team has been far from competitive.
12. Dejounte Murray
4 Triple-Doubles In 61 Games
Dejounte Murray is one of the best defensive point guards in the league and it’s not even close. Also, his long arms help him be a better rebounder than most guys his size and his position. This season, he’s averaging 15.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game, and he’s just one consistent jump shot away from becoming one of the best two-way youngsters in the NBA.
11. Ben Simmons
4 Triple-Doubles In 54 Games
Somehow, someway, people continue to question Ben Simmons’s impact on the Philadelphia 76ers. Truth be told, he might as well be the league’s best – or at least more versatile – defender right now, let alone his top-notch playmaking skills. This season, he’s posted averages of 14.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game. Hopefully, he’ll silence his critics in the playoffs.
10. Jimmy Butler
4 Triple-Doubles In 48 Games
Coach Erik Spoelstra recently said that Jimmy Butler would be an MVP candidate if this were a normal season and I won’t be the one to disagree. When he’s been healthy, he’s been a stat-sheet-stuffing machine and making a huge impact on both ends of the floor for the Miami Heat, averaging 21.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and a career-high 7.2 assists per game, while also leading the league with 2.1 steals a night.
9. Julius Randle
5 Triple-Doubles In 65 Games
Ironically, on a season that has Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden playing in Brooklyn, perhaps Julius Randle has been the one that has stolen all the headlines in New York City. Randle has made great strides this year and playing like an All-NBA kind of talent, leading the Knicks to their first winning season in years. Thus far, he’s averaged 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game thanks to his much-improved ball-handling skills.
8. LeBron James
5 Triple-Doubles In 43 Games
It’s not a secret that LeBron James is one of the most complete all-around players in NBA history, so it’s not unusual to see him piling up triple-doubles. James stepped up big time when the Lakers were missing Anthony Davis, playing at an MVP-caliber level. Throughout the year, he’s averaged 25.0 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game on an impressive 51% from the floor.
7. Draymond Green
5 Triple-Doubles In 58 Games
Draymond Green is one of the few players that can make a huge impact without scoring a single point. In fact, he would have way more triple-doubles this season -and in his career – but he’s failed to crack the 10-point mark multiple times. He’s one of the smartest players in NBA history and a playmaker in a power forward’s body. This year, he’s averaging 6.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game.
6. Domantas Sabonis
7 Triple-Doubles In 56 Games
It’s clear that Domantas Sabonis inherited at least some of his dad’s sick playmaking skills. Besides being a dominant scorer and rebounder, he’s a willing and pretty solid passer, taking the ball up and leading the break for the Indiana Pacers. Sabonis is one of the league’s up-and-coming stars, posting averages of 20.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game on 53% shooting.
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo
7 Triple Doubles In 56 Games
Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to post video game-like stat lines night in and night out. Once again, it seems like the only thing holding him back from being the best player on earth is his subpar three-point shooting. Even so, his impact on both ends of the floor is one of the main reasons why the Milwaukee Bucks have been so good this season. Thus far, he’s averaged 28.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game.
4. Luka Doncic
10 Triple-Doubles In 59 Games
We’re getting used to watching Luka Doncic make NBA history and it seems like he’s a veteran already, even though this is just his third season. Doncic continues to improve as a passer and is known for the great reads he makes in real-time. This season, he’s averaging 28.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 8.9 assists per game. He’s given us some incredible performances, including a 20-dime game.
3. James Harden
12 Triple-Doubles In 42 Games
James Harden forced his way out of the Houston Rockets and looked like a completely revamped player upon his arrival to Brooklyn. He was playing like an MVP before suffering a hamstring injury, and it didn’t take him long to become the Nets’ second all-time leader in triple-doubles. He’s got a long way to go to match Jason Kidd’s 61, but he’s more than capable. This year, he’s averaged 25.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 10.9 assists per game.
2. Nikola Jokic
15 Triple-Doubles In 66 Games
Nikola Jokic is a walking triple-double threat. He’s already considered the best passing big man ever, and we could take that ‘big man’ distinction and even say that he’s one of the best passers in NBA history as well. Jokic’s leadership has been vital for the Denver Nuggets and his newly-found aggressiveness as a scorer has him at the top of the MVP rankings this season. He’s on a roll right now, averaging 26.4 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 8.4 assists per game.
1. Russell Westbrook
33 Triple-Doubles In 59 Games
We have to give credit where it’s due. Russell Westbrook has made a habit out of getting triple-doubles so people tend to normalize it, and that’s a huge mistake. Westbrook is playing the best basketball of his career and has gotten a triple-double in more than half of his games played this season, including a 21-rebound, 24-assists performance. He’s leading the league with 11.3 rebounds per game to go along with 21.9 points and 11.3 rebounds and has now averaged a triple-double for a full season 4 times.
