Russell Westbrook is the first Los Angeles Lakers player with multiple triple-doubles off the bench. In 24 games in the second division this season, the nine-time All-Star has recorded nine double-doubles and two triple-doubles.
On Friday, in the Lakers’ 126-108 win over the Denver Nuggets, the 15-year veteran recorded his second triple-double of the season. He had 15 points, 11 rebounds, 12 assists and two steals in 30 minutes.]
According to several NBA betting sites, Russell Westbrook is the favorite to win the Sixth Man of the Year in 2023. Check out which sportsbooks are still giving Malcolm Brogdon and Jordan Poole terrific odds.
The first Laker in franchise history with multiple triple-doubles off the bench pic.twitter.com/ZzvNMJ35ee
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 17, 2022
This is the first time Russell Westbrook has come off the bench since his rookie season in 2008-09. Offensively, the two-time scoring champion is no different now. He is averaging a career-low 14.7 points per game. He is shooting 40.2% from the field, his lowest since his rookie season.
In the year On November 4, Westbrook scored a season-high 26 points in 30 minutes in the Lakers’ 130-116 loss to the Utah Jazz. He finished 9 of 14 (64.3%) from the floor and 3 of 5 (50%) from downtown.
Russell Westbrook is the first Laker player in franchise history to record more triple-doubles off the bench.
Speaking of triple-doubles, Westbrook leads the all-time list with 196. Oscar Robertson is second (181), Magic Johnson is third (138), and Jason Kidd is fourth (107). LeBron James, who ranks fifth at 105, is the only active player close to age 34.
James led the Lakers with 30 points in Friday night’s win over the Los Angeles Nuggets. Thomas Bryant contributed 21 points in 24 minutes off the bench.
Their biggest lead of the game was 22 points. Not to mention, the Lakers entered the game with a 1.5 point underdog. “The momentum changed, and the game changed,” Russell Westbrook said after the win. “You can see it. When we play that way, it’s hard to beat us.
“It’s just trying to do everything I can to make the person next to me better. I’m doing whatever is asked of me. Whether it works or not, I’m doing the best I can in the position I’m given.”
Russell Westbrook is the favorite to win the Sixth Man of the Year at +175. @BetMGM
Russ will become the sixth man and third player (James Harden, Bill Russell) to win the MVP in his career. pic.twitter.com/t8Te4zGys2
– John Ewing 🦁 (@johnewing) December 15, 2022
Russell Westbrook could become the third player in NBA history to win the MVP and Sixth Man of the Year. Only James Harden and Bill Russell have accomplished this feat.
In the first quarter against Denver, Anthony Davis suffered a right leg injury after his foot connected with Nikola Jokic’s leg under the basket. The eight-time All-Star may undergo an MRI.
“Until I know exactly what’s going on, I don’t want to talk about it,” Lakers coach Darwin Hamm said. “I’ll know more tomorrow.”
Losing Davis is a huge blow to the team. In 25 starts this season, the 11-year veteran is averaging 27.4 points, 12.1 boards, 2.6 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.1 blocks per game. A few sportsbooks are giving Davis the 12th-best odds to win MVP this season.
