Over the past decade, the term Triple Double has become increasingly popular in the NBA thanks to the incredible numbers of Russell Westbrook, James Harden and LeBron James who have elevated this stat to its highest level.
What is a Triple Double?
The concept of triple doubles is relatively recent as it was only introduced in the 1979/80 season in order to define the performance of a player who, in a single game, reaches double figures in three of the following stats: points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks.
As we shall see, one of his main performers, Oscar Robertsonwas not aware of his numbers as this stat had not yet been invented when he stopped playing.
Today we find out who holds the NBA Triple Doubles Records and Leaders in history. (last update March 23, 2023).
Most Triple Doubles in NBA history
The current NBA triple-doubles record holder is Russell Westbrook with 202 triple-doubles.
In second place we found Oscar Robertsonwho performed 181 triple-doubles in 14 seasons.
Robertson, known as “The Big O”, played for Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks and ended his career in 1974 with 1.040 games played and an average per game of 25.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 9.5 assists.
On May 11, 2021, in the match between Wizards and Hawks, Russell Westbrook broke Oscar’s historical record after 47 years, becoming the all-time leader.
Most Triple Doubles in a Single Season
The record for Triple Doubles in a single NBA season belongs to Russell Westbrook who scored 42 Tripe Doubles in the 2016/2017 season playing for Oklahoma City Thunder.
He reached the first place by surpassing the legendary Oscar Robertson (41 Triple Doubles in the 1960/61 season).
NBA Triple Doubles Leaders
| # | Player | Triple Doubles |
| 1 | Russell Westbrook* | 202 |
| 2 | Nikola Jokic* | 182 |
| 3 | Oscar Robertson | 181 |
| 4 | Magic Johnson | 138 |
| 5 | LeBron James* | 122 |
| 6 | Jason Kidd | 107 |
| 7 | Luka Dončić* | 88 |
| 8 | James Harden* | 82 |
| 9 | Wilt Chamberlain | 78 |
| 10 | Domantas Sabonis* | 68 |
| 11 | Larry Bird | 59 |
| 12 | Giannis Antetokounmpo* | 56 |
| 13 | Fat Lever | 43 |
| 14 | Bob Cousy | 33 |
| Ben Simmons* | 33 | |
| Draymond Green* | 33 | |
| 17 | Rajon Rondo | 32 |
| 18 | John Havlicek | 31 |
| 19 | Grant Hill | 29 |
| 20 | Michael Jordan | 28 |
NBA Active Players Triple Doubles Leaders
| # | Player | Triple Doubles |
| 1 | Russell Westbrook | 207 |
| 2 | Nikola Jokic | 182 |
| 3 | LeBron James | 122 |
| 4 | Luka Dončić | 88 |
| 5 | James Harden | 82 |
| 6 | Domantas Sabonis | 68 |
| 7 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | 56 |
| 8 | Ben Simmons | 33 |
| 9 | Draymond Green | 31 |
| 10 | Kyle Lowry | 21 |
