FILE – This March 29, 2018 file photo shows rapper Nipsey Hussle at an NBA basketball game between the Golden State Warriors and the Milwaukee Bucks in Oakland, Calif. Hussle was shot and killed Sunday, March 31, 2019 outside of his clothing store in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook became only the second player after Wilt Chamberlain to score a ’20-20-20′ triple-double on Tuesday — and dedicated his achievement to slain rapper Nipsey Hussle.
Westbrook posted a remarkable 20 points, 20 rebounds and 21 assists in the Thunder’s 119-103 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, matching Chamberlain’s feat in 1968.
But he was emotional afterwards as he paid tribute to Hussle, a fellow southern California native who was gunned down in Los Angeles on Sunday.
“That wasn’t for me,” Westbrook told broadcaster TNT after the game. “That was for my bro. That’s for Nipsey — 20 plus 20 plus 20… that’s for my bro, rest in peace Nipsey.”
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) runs out and roars to the crowd before an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday, April 2, 2019, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Westbrook, holder of the record for most triple-doubles in a season with 42, was already closing in on a third straight season averaging a triple-double — achieving double digits in three key statistical categories.
“It’s huge, man,” he told reporters. “I can’t honestly — I’m not gonna try to put it into words, but like I said on the floor, man, that’s who it’s for, and I’m going to leave it at that.”
Westbrook grabbed his 19th rebound with 1:04 to play when Oklahoma City’s Kiwi center Steven Adams missed the second of two free throws.
Westbrook, who waved off coach Billy Donovan’s attempt to sub him out of the contest, then pulled down his 20th in the final minute to put his name alongside that of Chamberlain, who had 22 points, 25 rebounds and 21 assists in a 1968 game for the Philadelphia 76ers against Detroit.
Playoff-bound but losers of seven of their last 10, the Thunder are locked in combat for the seventh seed with the San Antonio Spurs, who beat the Atlanta Hawks 117-111 on Tuesday.
Both teams own records of 45-33, with the Spurs holding the tiebreak advantage and the eighth seed destined to take on the number one seed in the first round.