Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook put his name alongside the likes of Michael Jordan and Larry Bird by scoring his fourth consecutive triple-double on Wednesday with NBA career-highs of 49 points and 16 rebounds against Philadelphia.
The All-Star Game MVP, wearing a facial mask in his comeback after breaking a cheek bone last Friday, led the Thunder to a 123-118 overtime win.
Westbrook became the first player since Jordan in 1989 to have four consecutive triple-doubles, according to STATS, and the first since Jordan that year to have back-to-back triple-doubles with at least 40 points.
It was the most points by any player with a triple-double since Larry Bird also scored 49 in 1992.
He still has some way to go to match Jordan's effort of seven straight triple-doubles and 10 in an 11-game span in 1989 for Chicago.
"It's definitely a blessing," Westbrook said, "but more importantly, it's important that we're winning."
It was Westbrook's sixth triple-double of the season and 14th of his career.
"It's amazing watching him play," 76ers guard Jason Richardson said.
"You've got to take your hats off to this guy. He takes no plays off. He plays hard on both ends of the court. He rebounds. It's amazing to see a guy who has that much passion about winning."
Elsewhere:
- Golden State Warriors 102, Milwaukee Bucks 93: Draymond Green had 23 points with 12 rebounds as the West-best Warriors (47-12) sent the visiting Bucks (32-29) to their sixth loss in seven games.
- Cleveland Cavaliers 120, Toronto Raptors 112: LeBron James scored 15 of his 29 points in the final six minutes, rallying the visiting Cavs (39-24) past the Raptors for their 20th win in the last 24 games.
- Memphis Grizzlies 102, Houston Rockets 100: Spaniard Marc Gasol scored 21 points, including the game-winning jumper with one-tenth of a second left, lifting the visiting Grizzlies (43-17) over the Rockets.
- Portland Trail Blazers 98, LA Clippers 93 (OT): Frenchman Nicolas Batum scored 20 points, including a three-pointer to force overtime and the game-sealing triple with 21.1 seconds left in the extra session, as the visiting Trail Blazers (40-19) stormed past Clippers for a fourth straight win.
- Denver Nuggets 100, Minnesota Timberwolves 85: Kenneth Faried had 18 points with 14 rebounds, and the visiting Nuggets (22-39) rocked the T-Wolves (13-47).
- Charlotte Hornets 115, Brooklyn Nets 91: Al Jefferson and Gerald Henderson scored 19 points apiece as the visiting Hornets (26-34) hammered the Nets (25-34) to take over the eighth play-off spot in the East.
- Boston Celtics 85, Utah Jazz 84: Tyler Zeller's bank shot from under the basket as time expired sent the Celtics (24-35) past the visiting Jazz (24-36).
- Phoenix Suns 105, Orlando Magic 100: Brandon Knight scored 28 points as the Suns (32-30) rallied from 15 down to beat the Magic (19-43).
- Indiana Pacers 105, New York Knicks 82: George Hill scored a season-high 21 points, Rodney Stuckey added 17 and the Pacers (26-34) routed the league-worst Knicks (12-48).
- New Orleans Pelicans 85, Detroit Pistons 85 - Anthony Davis returned from a right shoulder sprain with 39 points, 13 rebounds and eight blocks, as the Pelicans (33-28) won for the sixth time in the last seven games.
- Miami Heat 100, LA Lakers 94: Dwyane Wade scored 25 points, Hassan Whiteside added 18 with 25 rebounds, and the Heat (27-33) sent the visiting Lakers (16-44) to their 10th loss in the last 13 games.
- San Antonio Spurs 112, Sacramento Kings 85: Kawhi Leonard tossed in 21 points, Frenchman Tony Parker added 19 and Spurs (37-23) crowned the visiting Kings (21-38) with their most-lopsided win of the season.
