Basketball Reference Blog
The Most Triple-Doubles in a Single Season
Posted by Andrew Weiser on April 26, 2024
Next to a 50-point scoring explosion, no individual statistical performance in a single game grabs headlines like a triple-double. The triple-double requires excellence in multiple aspects of the game, not just scoring. Let’s find out who has the most triple doubles in a single season in NBA history.
42 – Russell Westbrook – 2016-17
Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook III ▪ Twitter: russwest44 ▪ Instagram: russwest44
(The Brodie, Russ, Beastbrook, Mr. Triple Double)
Position: Point Guard ▪ Shoots: Right
6-4, 200lb (193cm, 90kg)
Born: November 12, 1988 (Age: 35-165d) in Long Beach, California us
College: UCLA
High School: Leuzinger in Lawndale, California
Draft: Seattle SuperSonics, 1st round (4th pick, 4th overall), 2008 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: October 29, 2008
Experience: 15 years
- 9x All Star
- 2x Scoring Champ
- 3x AST Champ
- 9x All-NBA
- 2008-09 All-Rookie
- 2x AS MVP
- 2016-17 MVP
- NBA 75th Anniv. Team
2023-24
Career
68
1162
11.1
21.7
5.0
7.1
4.5
8.1
45.4
43.8
27.3
30.4
68.8
77.6
48.6
46.9
16.2
22.0
2.1
110.6
Russell Westbrook set the standing NBA record for the most triple-doubles in a single season with 42 during his 2016-17 MVP season with the Oklahoma City Thunder. This season also marked his first of three consecutive seasons averaging a triple-double and a career high scoring average of 31.6 ppg. Westbrook’s Thunder would ultimately lose in the first round of the 2017 Western Conference Playoffs to former teammate and MVP-runner up James Harden’s Houston Rockets.
41 – Oscar Robertson- 1961-62
Oscar Robertson
Oscar Palmer Robertson
(Big O, Mr. Triple Double, Ozzie, Oscar the Grouch)
Position: Point Guard ▪ Shoots: Right
6-5, 205lb (196cm, 92kg)
Born: November 24, 1938 (Age: 85-153d) in Charlotte, Tennessee us
College: Cincinnati
High School: Crispus Attucks in Indianapolis, Indiana
Draft: Cincinnati Royals, 1st round (1st pick, 1st overall), 1960 NBA Draft (territorial selection)
NBA Debut: October 19, 1960
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1980 (Full List)
Career Length: 14 years
- Hall of Fame
- 12x All Star
- 6x AST Champ
- 1971 NBA Champ
- 11x All-NBA
- 3x AS MVP
- 1960-61 ROY
- 1963-64 MVP
- NBA 75th Anniv. Team
Career
1040
25.7
7.5
9.5
48.5
83.8
23.2
189.2
Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson held the most triple-doubles in a single season NBA record for 55 years with 41 during the 1961-62 campaign. Playing for the Cincinnati Royals, The Big O became the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double for a full season, putting up 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 11.4 assists per game. The only other player in league history to accomplish this is Russell Westbrook.
38 – Russell Westbrook – 2020-21
Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook III ▪ Twitter: russwest44 ▪ Instagram: russwest44
(The Brodie, Russ, Beastbrook, Mr. Triple Double)
Position: Point Guard ▪ Shoots: Right
6-4, 200lb (193cm, 90kg)
Born: November 12, 1988 (Age: 35-165d) in Long Beach, California us
College: UCLA
High School: Leuzinger in Lawndale, California
Draft: Seattle SuperSonics, 1st round (4th pick, 4th overall), 2008 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: October 29, 2008
Experience: 15 years
- 9x All Star
- 2x Scoring Champ
- 3x AST Champ
- 9x All-NBA
- 2008-09 All-Rookie
- 2x AS MVP
- 2016-17 MVP
- NBA 75th Anniv. Team
2023-24
Career
68
1162
11.1
21.7
5.0
7.1
4.5
8.1
45.4
43.8
27.3
30.4
68.8
77.6
48.6
46.9
16.2
22.0
2.1
110.6
This is the second time we’ve seen Russ on this list of who has the most triple-doubles in a single season but it certainly won’t be the last. In his lone season for the Washington Wizards in 2020-21, Westbrook smashed triple-double records such as the Wizards’ franchise record for most triple-doubles in a single season and his own record fourth season averaging a triple-double. Westbrook also passed Oscar Robertson’s career triple-double record in a May 10 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
34 – Russell Westbrook – 2018-19
Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook III ▪ Twitter: russwest44 ▪ Instagram: russwest44
(The Brodie, Russ, Beastbrook, Mr. Triple Double)
Position: Point Guard ▪ Shoots: Right
6-4, 200lb (193cm, 90kg)
Born: November 12, 1988 (Age: 35-165d) in Long Beach, California us
College: UCLA
High School: Leuzinger in Lawndale, California
Draft: Seattle SuperSonics, 1st round (4th pick, 4th overall), 2008 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: October 29, 2008
Experience: 15 years
- 9x All Star
- 2x Scoring Champ
- 3x AST Champ
- 9x All-NBA
- 2008-09 All-Rookie
- 2x AS MVP
- 2016-17 MVP
- NBA 75th Anniv. Team
2023-24
Career
68
1162
11.1
21.7
5.0
7.1
4.5
8.1
45.4
43.8
27.3
30.4
68.8
77.6
48.6
46.9
16.2
22.0
2.1
110.6
Not only is Russell Westbrook the NBA player with the most triple doubles in a single season, he also has the third and fourth most as well. During the 2018-19 season, his final season in Oklahoma City, Russ notched 34 triple-doubles. He also led the NBA in assists for a second straight year with 10.7 dimes per game. In an April 2 game against the Lakers, Westbrook became only the second player in NBA history to record a 20/20/20 triple-double.
31 – Wilt Chamberlain – 1967-68
Wilt Chamberlain
Pronunciation: \CHAIM-bur-lin\
Wilton Norman Chamberlain
(Wilt the Stilt, The Big Dipper, Dippy, Dip, The Load, Big Musty, The Record Book, Hook and Ladder, Wiltie, Whip, Whipper, Norm)
Position: Center ▪ Shoots: Right
7-1, 275lb (216cm, 124kg)
Born: August 21, 1936 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania us
Died: October 12, 1999 (Aged 63-052d)
College: Kansas
High School: Overbrook in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Draft: Philadelphia Warriors, 1st round (3rd pick, 3rd overall), 1959 NBA Draft (territorial selection)
NBA Debut: October 24, 1959
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1979 (Full List)
Career Length: 14 years
- Hall of Fame
- 13x All Star
- 7x Scoring Champ
- 11x TRB Champ
- 1967-68 AST Champ
- 2x NBA Champ
- 10x All-NBA
- 1959-60 AS MVP
- 4x MVP
- 1959-60 ROY
- 2x All-Defensive
- 1971-72 Finals MVP
- NBA 75th Anniv. Team
Career
1045
30.1
22.9
4.4
54.0
51.1
26.2
247.3
Wilt Chamberlain’s name appears everywhere across basketball record books so it’s not surprising to see him among the NBA players with the most triple-doubles in a single season. In his final season playing for Philadelphia, Wilt put up 31 triple-doubles on his way to his fourth MVP award. Wilt the Stilt averaged 24.3 points, a league-leading 23.8 rebound and 8.6 assists per game during the 1967-68 season.
29 – Nikola Jokic – 2022-23
Nikola Jokić
Pronunciation: \ni-KOLA yo-kitch\
Nikola Jokić ▪ Twitter: JokicNikola15 ▪ Instagram: nikolajokicofficial
(Joker, Big Honey, Cookie Monster, Yoke, Big Tipper)
Position: Center ▪ Shoots: Right
6-11, 284lb (211cm, 128kg)
Born: February 19, 1995 (Age: 29-066d) in Sombor, Serbia rs
Draft: Denver Nuggets, 2nd round (11th pick, 41st overall), 2014 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: October 28, 2015
Experience: 8 years
2023-24
Career
79
675
26.4
20.9
12.4
10.7
9.0
6.9
58.3
55.7
35.9
35.0
81.7
82.7
61.2
59.2
31.0
28.1
17.0
111.6
One of the biggest superstars in the game today, Nikola Jokic is known for his well-rounded passing, scoring and rebounding skills. Therefore, it’s no surprise that he is already one of the players with the most triple-doubles in a single season in NBA history. His career high thus far came in the 2022-23 season where he recorded 29 triple-doubles. In this season, he also passed Wilt Chamberlain for the most career triple-doubles by a center, recorded his 100th career triple-double and led Denver to a Larry O’Brien Trophy, being named Finals MVP.
26 – Domantas Sabonis – 2023-24
Domantas Sabonis
Pronunciation: \doh-MON-tas suh-BOH-nis\
Domantas Sabonis ▪ Twitter: Dsabonis11 ▪ Instagram: dsabonis11
(Domas)
Position: Power Forward and Center ▪ Shoots: Left
6-10, 240lb (208cm, 108kg)
Born: May 3, 1996 (Age: 27-358d) in Portland, Oregon us
Relatives: Father Arvydas Sabonis
College: Gonzaga
Recruiting Rank: 2014 (92)
Draft: Orlando Magic, 1st round (11th pick, 11th overall), 2016 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: October 26, 2016
Experience: 7 years
2023-24
Career
82
576
19.4
15.7
13.7
10.3
8.2
4.8
59.4
55.6
37.9
33.2
70.4
72.6
60.9
57.5
23.2
20.2
12.6
59.8
Jokic’s primary rival for the contemporary king of triple-doubles in the Western Conference has emerged in Sacramento’s Domantas Sabonis. In 2023-24, Sabonis joined elite company among Westbrook, Robertson, Chamberlain and Jokic as the only players in NBA history to record 25 or more triple-doubles in a single season. Sabonis also notably recorded 54 straight double-doubles that same season, the most since the NBA-ABA merger. Surprisingly however, Sabonis was denied his fourth All Star bid in the 2024 NBA All Star game.
26 – Oscar Robertson – 1960-61; 1963-64
Oscar Robertson
Oscar Palmer Robertson
(Big O, Mr. Triple Double, Ozzie, Oscar the Grouch)
Position: Point Guard ▪ Shoots: Right
6-5, 205lb (196cm, 92kg)
Born: November 24, 1938 (Age: 85-153d) in Charlotte, Tennessee us
College: Cincinnati
High School: Crispus Attucks in Indianapolis, Indiana
Draft: Cincinnati Royals, 1st round (1st pick, 1st overall), 1960 NBA Draft (territorial selection)
NBA Debut: October 19, 1960
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1980 (Full List)
Career Length: 14 years
- Hall of Fame
- 12x All Star
- 6x AST Champ
- 1971 NBA Champ
- 11x All-NBA
- 3x AS MVP
- 1960-61 ROY
- 1963-64 MVP
- NBA 75th Anniv. Team
Career
1040
25.7
7.5
9.5
48.5
83.8
23.2
189.2
For over five decades, Oscar Robertson was the only player in NBA history to record more than 25 triple-doubles in multiple seasons. In 1960-61 and 1963-64, he recorded 26 triple-doubles in each season. The 1960-61 season was Robertson’s breakout rookie campaign in which he earned Rookie of the Year honors and finished fifth in MVP voting. The Big O finished his first season in the league 0.3 assists per game shy of averaging a triple-double. The 1963-64 season saw Robertson win the MVP award. Robertson also finished just 0.1 rebounds per game shy of averaging a triple-double for the second time in his career.
25 – Nikola Jokic – 2023-24
Nikola Jokić
Pronunciation: \ni-KOLA yo-kitch\
Nikola Jokić ▪ Twitter: JokicNikola15 ▪ Instagram: nikolajokicofficial
(Joker, Big Honey, Cookie Monster, Yoke, Big Tipper)
Position: Center ▪ Shoots: Right
6-11, 284lb (211cm, 128kg)
Born: February 19, 1995 (Age: 29-066d) in Sombor, Serbia rs
Draft: Denver Nuggets, 2nd round (11th pick, 41st overall), 2014 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: October 28, 2015
Experience: 8 years
2023-24
Career
79
675
26.4
20.9
12.4
10.7
9.0
6.9
58.3
55.7
35.9
35.0
81.7
82.7
61.2
59.2
31.0
28.1
17.0
111.6
Though he was one-upped by the Kings’ Sabonis in the triple-double category over the 2023-24 season, Joker finished with 25 triple-doubles, marking just the eleventh time in NBA history a player has achieved this milestone. Jokic recorded a 27 point, 22 rebound and 12 assist triple-double, the 120th of his career, on February 2. Also in a February game against the Washington Wizards, Jokic became only the third player in NBA history to record a triple-double against every team he has faced.
25 – Russell Westbrook – 2017-18
Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook III ▪ Twitter: russwest44 ▪ Instagram: russwest44
(The Brodie, Russ, Beastbrook, Mr. Triple Double)
Position: Point Guard ▪ Shoots: Right
6-4, 200lb (193cm, 90kg)
Born: November 12, 1988 (Age: 35-165d) in Long Beach, California us
College: UCLA
High School: Leuzinger in Lawndale, California
Draft: Seattle SuperSonics, 1st round (4th pick, 4th overall), 2008 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: October 29, 2008
Experience: 15 years
- 9x All Star
- 2x Scoring Champ
- 3x AST Champ
- 9x All-NBA
- 2008-09 All-Rookie
- 2x AS MVP
- 2016-17 MVP
- NBA 75th Anniv. Team
2023-24
Career
68
1162
11.1
21.7
5.0
7.1
4.5
8.1
45.4
43.8
27.3
30.4
68.8
77.6
48.6
46.9
16.2
22.0
2.1
110.6
How did Russell Westbrook follow up his record-setting 2016-17 MVP season? With a season recording a pedestrian (by his standards) 25 triple-doubles. Westbrook became the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double in two separate seasons. He also led the league in assists per game with 10.3 during the 2017-18 NBA season.
22 – James Harden – 2016-17
James Harden
James Edward Harden Jr. ▪ Twitter: JHarden13 ▪ Instagram: jharden13
(The Beard, El Chapo, Jimbo Slice, Honey Bun, Uno, The System)
Position: Point Guard and Shooting Guard ▪ Shoots: Left
6-5, 220lb (196cm, 99kg)
Born: August 26, 1989 (Age: 34-243d) in Los Angeles, California us
College: Arizona State
High School: Artesia in Lakewood, California
Recruiting Rank: 2007 (17)
Draft: Oklahoma City Thunder, 1st round (3rd pick, 3rd overall), 2009 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: October 28, 2009
Experience: 14 years
- 10x All Star
- 3x Scoring Champ
- 2x AST Champ
- 7x All-NBA
- 2009-10 All-Rookie
- 2011-12 Sixth Man
- 2017-18 MVP
- NBA 75th Anniv. Team
2023-24
Career
72
1072
16.6
24.1
5.1
5.6
8.5
7.1
42.8
44.1
38.1
36.4
87.8
86.1
54.1
52.6
18.6
24.0
8.4
166.4
Though overshadowed by Russell Westbrook’s 42 triple doubles, James Harden had his most triple-doubles in a single season during the 2016-17 campaign as well with 22. Harden did beat Russ in one key statistical category that year, leading the league in assists per game with 11.2. Harden would win the MVP award the following year with the Rockets.
22 – Wilt Chamberlain – 1966-67
Wilt Chamberlain
Pronunciation: \CHAIM-bur-lin\
Wilton Norman Chamberlain
(Wilt the Stilt, The Big Dipper, Dippy, Dip, The Load, Big Musty, The Record Book, Hook and Ladder, Wiltie, Whip, Whipper, Norm)
Position: Center ▪ Shoots: Right
7-1, 275lb (216cm, 124kg)
Born: August 21, 1936 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania us
Died: October 12, 1999 (Aged 63-052d)
College: Kansas
High School: Overbrook in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Draft: Philadelphia Warriors, 1st round (3rd pick, 3rd overall), 1959 NBA Draft (territorial selection)
NBA Debut: October 24, 1959
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1979 (Full List)
Career Length: 14 years
- Hall of Fame
- 13x All Star
- 7x Scoring Champ
- 11x TRB Champ
- 1967-68 AST Champ
- 2x NBA Champ
- 10x All-NBA
- 1959-60 AS MVP
- 4x MVP
- 1959-60 ROY
- 2x All-Defensive
- 1971-72 Finals MVP
- NBA 75th Anniv. Team
Career
1045
30.1
22.9
4.4
54.0
51.1
26.2
247.3
In his second of three consecutive MVP seasons, Wilt Chamberlain recorded 22 triple-doubles in 1966-67. Wilt averaged 24.1 points per game on a whopping .683 from the field. He also averaged a league-leading 24.2 rebounds per game. To cap off this historic season, Chamberlain’s 76ers won the NBA championship over his former team, the San Francisco Warriors.
22 – Oscar Robertson – 1964-65
Oscar Robertson
Oscar Palmer Robertson
(Big O, Mr. Triple Double, Ozzie, Oscar the Grouch)
Position: Point Guard ▪ Shoots: Right
6-5, 205lb (196cm, 92kg)
Born: November 24, 1938 (Age: 85-153d) in Charlotte, Tennessee us
College: Cincinnati
High School: Crispus Attucks in Indianapolis, Indiana
Draft: Cincinnati Royals, 1st round (1st pick, 1st overall), 1960 NBA Draft (territorial selection)
NBA Debut: October 19, 1960
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1980 (Full List)
Career Length: 14 years
- Hall of Fame
- 12x All Star
- 6x AST Champ
- 1971 NBA Champ
- 11x All-NBA
- 3x AS MVP
- 1960-61 ROY
- 1963-64 MVP
- NBA 75th Anniv. Team
Career
1040
25.7
7.5
9.5
48.5
83.8
23.2
189.2
How did Oscar Robertson follow up his 26 triple-double MVP season in 1963-64? With a 22 triple-double season the following year. Robertson also averaged a career-high 11.5 assists per game that year as well.
Russell Westbrook holds the most triple doubles in a single season NBA record. He recorded 42 of them in 2016-17.
A 20 triple-double season has been recorded 16 times. However, only seven players have accomplished this. They are Russell Westbrook, Oscar Robertson, Wilt Chamberlain, Nikola Jokic, Domantas Sabonis, James Harden and Luka Doncic.
In the 2023-24 season, Domantas Sabonis set the NBA record for most double-doubles in a season with 77. He played in all 82 games for the Sacramento Kings, meaning he did not record at least a double-double in only five games.
The 100 career triple-double club is an elite one, with only six NBA players accomplishing this career mark. They are Russell Westbrook, Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, Nikola Jokic, LeBron James and Jason Kidd.
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