Russell Westbrook was a terror on the hardwood Tuesday night, with the Oklahoma City Thunder guard playing one of the most complete games of basketball the league has ever seen. Torching the Los Angeles Lakers, Westbrook posted a 20 point, 21 assist, 20 rebound triple-double, a feat which has only ever been matched by the legendary Wilt Chamberlain, who did so against the Detroit Pistons in February 1968.
Following his historic performance, Russell Westbrook didn’t want the praise for his stat-line, he wanted everyone to know he went off for his friend, rapper Nipsey Hussle, who was gunned down in Los Angeles on Sunday.
Russell Westbrook talks about dedicating his big game to the late Nipsey Hussle ? pic.twitter.com/IfImy4MOTB
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) April 3, 2019
With both California natives, Russell Westbrook and Nipsey had previously worked together in collaboration with Westbrook’s Why Not? Foundation, whose mission statement is “to inspire the lives of children, empower them to ask ‘Why Not?’ and teach them to never give up.” The organization has hosted youth basketball camps while providing food, resources, and education throughout communities.
An eleven-year veteran out of UCLA, Westbrook is well on track for his third consecutive triple-double average over the course of a season, another historic mark as the great Oscar Robertson has the only other triple-double season average in NBA history.
