Oscar Robertson congratulates Russell Westbrook on triple-double record

Russell Westbrook notched his 42nd triple-double of the season Sunday night, breaking a tie with Oscar Robertson for most in a single season.

Westbrook had already clinched averaging a triple-double on the season before Sunday night’s game to become the only player to do that since Oscar Robertson averaged one during the 1961-62 season. Even with that remarkable feat though, Westbrook was still chasing the record books as he was one triple-double away from breaking a tie with Robertson at 41, for the most triple-doubles in a season.

Mark this date in your history books folks as Westbrook notched his 42nd triple-double of the season tonight, and now holds the record for most in a season.

Absolutely remarkable. Numerous players, coaches, and fans congratulated Westbrook on his incredible record-breaking season, but one notable congratulator was the king of the triple-double before Westbrook this season, Oscar Robertson. Robertson wrote an article for The Undefeated, where he compared both of their seasons where they averaged a triple-double and said, “I could not be happier for him. Congratulations to Russell Westbrook on a magnificent season!” An incredible gesture from the man who just had his record of almost 55 years broken by Westbrook.

Next: Worst NBA Awards Snubs of All-Time

This was the moment where Westbrook officially broke the record by collecting the final assist he needed for his 42nd triple-double of the season.

Now that Westbrook has the record out of the way, he can return his focus to capturing the league’s MVP award for the season. He has been in a tight race with James Harden of the Houston Rockets all season, and it is set to be one of the closest contests the NBA has seen between two worthy candidates. It will be hard not to give Westbrook the award this season after accomplishing something of this magnitude.