We have that and more in Wednesday’s NBA newsletter.
Russell Westbrook has put up a lot of stunning numbers in his career, including the first triple-double average for a season in decades (he’s on his way to doing it for a third straight season by the way). But what he did on Tuesday and how he did it is something unforgettable.
To honor his friend, slain rapper and social entrepreneur Nipsey Hussle, who was killed on Sunday, Westbrook put together a box score seen only once before ... back in 1968 ... produced by the king of unimaginable box scores, Wilt Chamerlain.
Westbrook had 20 points, 21 assists, and 20 rebounds.
A triple twenty. A double triple double. A triple double double? A Triple Frontier? The fact that we need to come up with a name for a new achievement in basketball box score mastery is an extremely Russell Westbrook move.
In the post-game, Westbrook said he did it for Nipsey -- “20 plus 20 plus 20, they know what that means” -- an apparent reference to the Rollin 60s. The 60s were a huge part of Nipsey’s music and his story of personal and community change. That this 20-21-20 performance -- the second in NBA history -- was a tribute to a fallen friend makes it all the more powerful and impressive. (Here’s a wonderful piece on what Nipsey meant to his community. I obviously write that as an outsider to that community.)
You don’t have to love Westbrook, even if you love basketball. I’ll just never understand how some people have become so jaded they aren’t amazed by his feats.
Scores
Lakers 103, Thunder 119
Hawks 111, Spurs 117
Rockets 130, Kings 105
Nuggets 102, Warriors 116
Schedule
All times Eastern. Games on League Pass unless otherwise noted.
Pacers at Pistons, 7
Knicks at Magic, 7
Bulls at Wizards, 7
Sixers at Hawks, 7:30
Raptors at Nets, 7:30
Celtics at Heat, 7:30, NBA TV
Hornets at Pelicans, 8
Timberwolves at Mavericks, 8:30
Spurs at Nuggets, 9
Jazz at Suns, 10
Grizzlies at Blazers, 10
Rockets at Clippers, 10:30, NBA TV
Links
Fantastic farewell column from Paul Flannery on the retiring Dwyane Wade, who was always a step ahead.
The Wizards (finally?) fired Ernie Grunfeld after 16 years as general manager. As Kevin Brook writes, the challenges are just beginning for the franchise.
Kristian Winfield ranks the five teams chasing the final East playoff spots by how much they need it.
Do you love women’s soccer, or would you love it if you could more easily read about it? Then here’s some good news: SB Nation has unveiled All for XI, a new site dedicated exclusively to women’s soccer. Enjoy!
Angelenos come up to Ivica Zubac to express sadness at his trade from the Lakers to the Clippers and he tells them to watch the Clippers, because unlike the Lakers they are actually good.
Brian Windhorst revisits the epic bidding war around LeBron’s first sneaker deal in advance (amid?) the bidding war around Zion Williamson’s first sneaker deal.
Chris Herring on the Pacers’ art of winning ugly.
Ben Cohen chased down some of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s old Greek teammates for some perspective.
If you have heretofore avoided being a Warriors fatalist this season, go watch DeMarcus Cousins seal Nikola Jokic in a cage of his own frustration and dominate him last night. Sheesh. [extremely Killmonger voice] IS THIS YOUR FIFTH NAME ON THE MVP BALLOT, HUH?
Lonzo Ball is suing the co-founder of Big Baller Brand. This is fine.
One week left in the regular season. Let’s go.
Be excellent to each other.