After suffering a tough overtime loss against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night, the Los Angeles Lakers managed to grab a much-needed win tonight against the Denver Nuggets. Despite missing out on Anthony Davis’ services for the second half of the contest, LeBron James and Russell Westbrook propelled the Purple & Gold to a 126-108 victory.
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Denver’s pairing of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray had a pretty terrific night, combining for 48 points, 16 rebounds, and 14 rebounds. However, the All-Star duo of LBJ and Russ was too much for the Nuggets to handle.
While LeBron recorded a 3rd straight 30-point game, along with 9 boards, 4 assists, and 2 steals, Westbrook managed to clinch a solid 15/12/11 triple-double. One that would be etched in the history books.
Lakers beat the Nuggets 126-108 #LakeShow
LeBron James:
▫️30 points
▫️9 rebounds
▫️4 assists
▫️2 steals
▫️65.0% FGRussell Westbrook:
▫️15 points
▫️12 assists
▫️11 rebounds
▫️2 steals pic.twitter.com/98huk1d21N— NBALakersReport (@NBALakersReport) December 17, 2022
Also Read: Buddy Hield and Myles Turner May Not Be Enough Anymore, Per NBA Insider
Russell Westbrook puts up a historic performance and eclipses Magic Johnson
The 2017 MVP had a sensational performance and a huge contribution to the Lakers’ 12th win of the season.
With 2 triple-doubles recorded by Brodie, coming off the bench over the span of a week, Russ has managed to break Magic Johnson’s record from 1996.
Russell Westbrook recorded two triple-doubles off the bench for the Lakers in a span of a week, breaking Magic Johnson’s record from 1996.
Incredible!#LakeShow pic.twitter.com/EEryjkQ6Kp
— ’ (@_Talkin_NBA) December 17, 2022
Apart from breaking Magic’s record, the 6-foot-3 guard became the first Laker in history to record multiple triple-doubles off the bench.
Russell Westbrook is the 1st Laker in history to drop multiple triple-doubles in a single season while coming off the bench. pic.twitter.com/IhmkiijFUt
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) December 17, 2022
Further, the Lakers 6th man has now become the first player in more than 20 years to put up 15/12/11, while coming off the bench. The last person to do so? Detlef Schrempf all the way back in 1991!
Russ tonight:
15 PTS
11 REB
12 ASTFirst player with those numbers off the bench since Detlef Schrempf in 1991. pic.twitter.com/CPluQp5V73
— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 17, 2022
NBA Twitter reacts to Russ’ record-breaking outing
As soon as the slasher recorded his 196th triple-double, NBA Twitter hyped him up for an efficient and effective outing.
Russell Westbrook triple-double off the bench in Lakers win!pic.twitter.com/oRe7sg17vw
— russ×lewis (@MVPWestbrodie44) December 17, 2022
I’m happy @russwest44 is turning the narrative in his favor.
— Rio (@SugeDaye) December 17, 2022
MVP and 6MOY for Russ!
— Advait Jajodia (@AdvaitJajodia) December 17, 2022
Russell Westbrook has done an amazing job transitioning to this 6th man role. People don’t realize how hard of a switch that can be for guys who made a first ballot HOF career and millions playing one way and STILL have a lot of that ability.
— Ball Don’t Stop (@balldontstop) December 17, 2022
Westbrook has been averaging a staggering 14.7 PPG, 7.6 APG, 6.1 RPG, and 1.1 SPG this 2022-2023 season. With the way, he is helping LeBron James and co. coming off the bench, there is no reason why the future Hall of Famer won’t be a frontrunner to win the 6th Man of The Year honors.
Also Read: Skip Bayless in Awe of 6ft 4” Brodie’s Reemergence Amid Lakers Downfall
