What is a Triple Double in Basketball? Full Definition & Meaning Explained

In the fast-paced world of basketball, one of the most popular sports in the world, few stats capture the imagination of fans like triple-doubles. It is a special moment in the game that marks the all-around excellence of a player. It is proof that play just didn’t contribute, but dominated in many ways. 

Players like LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, and Magic Johnson are some of the best individual athletes in the game of basketball. They’re also known for achieving the unique distinction of triple-double.

What is a triple double in basketball, and why are fans so fond of it? In this article, we will share everything you need to know about triple-doubles meaning in basketball. 

The Core Stats in Basketball

To understand triple-double, you must understand the core stats of basketball. In simple words, there are five different individual stats in basketball. Here is the list. 

• Points: It is the most common stat, recorded when a player scores. 
• Rebounds: It occurs when a player retrieves the ball after a missed shot. 
• Assists: If a pass directly leads to a made basket, then it is called an assist. 
• Steals: It is recorded when a player gains possession by taking the ball away from an opponent. 
• Blocks: When a player prevents a shot from going by deflecting it mid-air. 

So, these are the core stats of the game that are recorded. They are tracked in each game and for each player and displayed in the box section. So, when a player reaches a double digit in any of these stats, it is called a double. 

This is where double-double and triple-double come into the picture. Now, let’s focus on what is a triple-double in basketball. 

What is a Triple Double in Basketball?

What is a triple double in basketball? 

A triple-double is a statistical achievement in basketball where a player records a double-digit score of 10 or more in three of the five core stats during a single game. For example, if a player scores 15 points, makes 10 rebounds, and assists 12 shots, then it will be called a triple-double. 

The player can achieve this distinction even if they didn’t score in the other two categories. In most cases, the triple-double features a combination of points, rebounds, and assists. But this doesn’t imply that the other combinations are impossible. 

The term “triple-double” comes from the word “double” (indicating double-digit figures) and “triple” (referring to the fact that it happened in three different categories). 

How Rare is Triple Double

We’ve learned what a triple-double is in basketball. Now, let’s look at how rare a triple-double is in basketball. 

Yes, triple-doubles are uncommon but not rare these days as players have evolved. In today’s NBA, players often achieve triple-doubles. In the earlier decades, only a handful of players achieved them regularly, but that’s not the case in this decade. Thanks to the evolving play styles and versatile athletes. 

• In the 1980s and 1990s, a triple-double was a special feat. Usually, elite point guards or forwards are used to achieve them. 
• In the 2010s, special players like LeBron James and Rusell Westbrook normalized it. 

Still, it is a very uncommon feat because out of hundreds of games played each season, triple-double occurs only in a small percentage of them. 

How to Get a Triple Double in Basketball

Learning about what is a triple-double may have been easy, but achieving one is quite difficult. It may look effortless when the professionals like LeBron James and Russell Westbrook do it, but getting it is no easy task. It requires players to have versatility, court awareness, endurance, and teamwork. 

Here are some of the tips to get a triple-double in basketball. 

• Always pass first and focus on finding open teammates. 
• You can crash the boards by being aggressive on rebounds. 
• You can push the tempo of the game. Fast-paced games often lead to more chances for assists and points. 

What is a Double Double in Basketball?

Now that you know what does a triple double means in basketball, the double-double should be fairly straightforward for you. 

When a player has scored in the double digits in two of the five core stats listed above in a single game, it is called a double-double. For example, if a player scores 18 points and 14 assists, they achieve this distinction. 

They would not need to score steals or blocks to achieve this. The only requirement is that they make it to the double digits in two categories, no matter which those are.  

NBA Triple-Double Leaders

Some of the NBA legends are practically synonymous with triple-doubles in basketball. Here, we will discuss a few names. 

Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook currently holds the record for most career triple-doubles with 203. In 2021, he surpassed Oscar Robertson’s record of 181. He is the only player in the league’s history to average a triple-double over four seasons. His 2016–17 MVP season included a stunning 42 triple-doubles.

LeBron James

LeBron James, one of the best basketball players to ever play the game, has 122 triple-doubles to his name. He is one of the star players who rescued his team in clutch situations with his on-field play. 

Nikola Jokić

The Denver Nuggets center is another player who has redefined the big-man role by performing consistently. He is used to dishing out double-digit assists in addition to points and rebounds. He has 164 triple-doubles to his name. 

Conclusion

Now that you understand what is a triple double in Basketball, it’s not difficult to see why it’s so revered. It’s a measure of a player’s skill to impact the game in multiple ways, not just on the scoreboard. From Russell Westbrook to LeBron James, the triple-double is the gold standard of adaptability and excellence.

Watching or playing, knowing the triple double offers a greater appreciation of the strategy, skill, and artistry involved in basketball. 

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