What is a Triple Double in Basketball? (Explained)

In basketball, a triple-double is a single-game performance by a player who accumulates a double-digit number total in three of five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots. It is a rare and impressive accomplishment, and it is a sign of a player who is dominant in multiple areas of the game.

The first triple-double was recorded in 1961 by Wilt Chamberlain, who had 50 points, 25 rebounds, and 12 assists in a game for the Philadelphia Warriors. Since then, there have been over 700 triple-doubles recorded in NBA history. The record for most triple-doubles in a season is held by Russell Westbrook, who had 42 in 2016-17.

Triple-doubles are becoming more common in recent years, as players are becoming more versatile and skilled. However, they are still a rare and impressive accomplishment, and they are a sign of a truly dominant player.

In this article, we will discuss the triple-double in detail. We will also take a look at some of the ways you can achieve this statistic as a basketball player.

What Exactly is a Triple-Double? (And Examples..)

A triple-double is a basketball term that refers to a single-game performance by a player who accumulates a double-digit number total in three of five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots.

In other words, a triple-double is when a player has 10 or more in three of those categories in a single game. For example, a player could have 20 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists for a triple-double.

Here are some examples of triple-doubles in NBA history:

• Wilt Chamberlain had 50 points, 25 rebounds, and 12 assists in a game for the Philadelphia Warriors in 1961.
• Oscar Robertson had 33 points, 19 rebounds, and 15 assists in a game for the Cincinnati Royals in 1961.
• Russell Westbrook had 35 points, 17 rebounds, and 13 assists in a game for the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2016.
• James Harden had 51 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists in a game for the Houston Rockets in 2017.

How rare is a triple-double?

Triple-doubles are a rare accomplishment in basketball. Since the start of the 1984-85 season, there have been 72,798 games played in the NBA, and only 1,242 triple-doubles have been recorded. This means that a triple-double occurs at a rate of just 1.7% of all games.

There are a few reasons why triple-doubles are so rare. First, it is difficult for a player to be dominant in three different statistical categories in a single game. Second, the game of basketball has become more specialized in recent years, with players focusing on specific skills. This makes it less likely that a player will be able to accumulate double-digit numbers in three different categories.

However, triple-doubles are becoming more common in recent years. This is due in part to the fact that players are becoming more versatile and skilled. Additionally, the NBA has changed the way that triple-doubles are recorded. In the past, a player only needed to have 10 or more in two categories and 9 in the third category to record a triple-double. However, the NBA now requires a player to have 10 or more in all three categories to record a triple-double.

Players Who Have Recorded The Most Triple Doubles in NBA History

Here are some of the players who have recorded the most triple-doubles in NBA history:

• Russell Westbrook: 198
• Oscar Robertson: 181
• Magic Johnson: 138
• LeBron James: 99
• Jason Kidd: 107

These players are all considered to be some of the greatest all-time basketball players, and their triple-double records are a testament to their greatness.

How Can You Achieve a Triple-Double in Basketball?

Achieving the statistic of a triple-double is something to behold. However, to stack up this stat, you will need to become a well-rounded player. It is not enough to only become a good shooter, you need to improve your defensive and playmaking abilities too. In other words, you will have to become a multi-faceted player that can do all kinds of things in the basketball court.

There are a few things you can do to increase your chances of achieving a triple-double in basketball:

• Be a versatile player. You need to be able to contribute in a variety of ways on the court. This means being able to score points, rebound, and pass the ball effectively.
• Be aggressive. You need to be aggressive on both ends of the court. This means looking for opportunities to score points, rebound, and create scoring opportunities for your teammates.
• Be smart. You need to be smart about how you use your energy and resources. This means knowing when to score points, when to rebound, and when to pass the ball.
• Be patient. It takes time and effort to achieve a triple-double. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get one right away. Just keep working hard and eventually, you will get one.

Final Thoughts

Triple-doubles are a rare and impressive accomplishment in basketball. It demonstrates the player’s versatility and ability to dominate the game in multiple areas. If you’re looking to stack up triple-doubles in your game, then you should try to improve all facets of your game. By doing so, basketball players can improve their game to the best of their abilities. 

You can also check out our articles on these basketball statistics:

• What is a double-double in basketball?