RUSSELL WESTBROKE BREAKS TRIPLES-DOUBLE NBA RECORD

Records are meant to be broken, but so far Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hit streak, Cal Ripken’s most baseball games played, and Wayne Gretzky’s many hockey records are still safe.

But one legend, basketball Hall of Fame’s Oscar Robertson had his 47-year-old record of triple-doubles, which was once thought to be untouchable, as Russell Westbrook of the Washington Wizards surpassed it when he completed his 183rd triple-double in Monday’s loss at the Atlanta Hawks.

The 32-year-old Westbrook out of UCLA, and in his 13th season in the National Basketball Association, finished the game with 28 points, 13 rebounds and 21 assists, and missed a potential game-winning 3-pointer in the 125-124 setback.

Although triple-doubles happen more frequently than in Robertson’s era thanks to the pace of the contemporary NBA game, Westbrook has no peer for how routinely he fills the stat sheet. Magic Johnson is third with 138 triple-doubles, Jason Kidd finished his career with 107, and LeBron James is the closest among active players with 99.

The 6-foot-3 point guard Westbrook, who wears number 4, was the 2016-17 Most Valuable Player when with the Oklahoma City Thunder, and a nine-time All-Star, praised Robertson after he tied the record in Saturday’s overtime win at the Indiana Pacers. He had 33 points, 19 rebounds and 15 assists, and closed out the game with a shot block.

“I want to thank Oscar Robertson and the things he was able to do for the game,” Westbrook said. “I probably wound’t be doing some of the things I’m able to do now without his sacrifice and things he did for the game as well.”

Washington acquired Westbrook in a trade with the Houston Rockets for John Wall before the season, reuniting him with coach Scott Brooks, who guided him to that MVP campaign with the Thunder.

After the Monday game, Westbrook thanked the crowd at State Farm Arena that cheered when he broke the record and also had thanks for the video board that offered congratulations.

“It’s just a blessing,” said the 32-year-old Westbrook. “You put so much into the game. You put in so much time. You sacrifice so much and to be able to be mentioned with guys like Oscar and Magic and Jason. When I was a kid growing up in L.A., I never dream’t this, and so I’m grateful for moments like this.”

Coach Brooks said that Oscar Robertson is special. “Not a lot of guys you can say that about. What he did was incredible, which is why no one’s come close to it in almost 50 years.

“But in Westbrook, you are witnessing a guy who competes every single possession, and I don’t know that anybody’s ever going to get this again, but he’s definitely set it at a new level now. He passed one of the greatest to ever play the game.”

Westbrook had eight triple-doubles during his six seasons in Oklahoma City. From there, something clicked, and he’s produced 174 over the last seven years.

His league-leading 35 this season is the second-highest total of his career. He had 42 in 2016-17 when he became the first player since Robertson in 1961-62 to average a triple-double. He will match that feat for the fourth time in five seasons.

“I normally don’t like to pat myself on the back,” he said, “but tonight I will just because I’m so grateful for the ones before me and so blessed to the man above me to allow me to go out and do it. I take this job very seriously and I’m super grateful for my teammates and coaches on my journey so far.”