Somewhat wounded ahead of their three-game road trip’s final night on November 19, 2024, the Denver Nuggets learned that the bad news was, their box score-stuffing three-time Most Valuable Player wouldn’t be available. The good news? NBA history’s No. 1 triple-double collector would be the first to check-in from the bench, ensuring that all, literally, would be well-covered. Unselfish, even on a night that in many ways belonged to him, Russell Westbrook puts pressure on the Memphis Grizzlies’ transition defense, first through a sprint that positions Denver for a skip-ahead and a three-on-two opportunity. Pinpoint in hitting his smooth-scoring teammate in stride with a no-look feed, the nine-time All-Star reaps its rewards through a highlight play in a frenetic opening quarter. By night’s end, Westbrook — unquestionably a member of the NBA’s Mount Rushmore in creating one-of-a-kind statistical feats — had done it again, becoming the Association’s first-ever to amass 200 career triple-doubles. All smiles after the road victory, the 2017 Most Valuable Player’s final tally read as follows: 12 points, 10 rebounds, 14 assists, two steals, one block, and one 3-pointer in 32 minutes of play. · Nov 20, 2024