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Russell Westbrook of the Washington Wizards looks on in the game against the Indiana Pacers at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 3, 2021. /CFP
The Washington Wizards beat the Indiana Pacers 154-141 at home on Monday, achieving their ninth win out of the recent 10 games. Russell Westbrook had another triple-double of 14 points, 21 rebounds, and 24 assists, both career highs.
Capital One Arena could not cheer more for Westbrook. It's his 32nd triple-double of the season and the fourth-most for any player in one season. Three of the top 4 records in this area belong to Westbrook – 42, 34, and 32 – and the rest was from Oscar Robertson (41).
Monday's game witnessed Westbrook have a triple-double within the first three quarters for the 54th time, the most in 25 years. He will average a triple-double this season for the fourth time in his career (the most in NBA history) even if he scores nothing in each of the seven games left.
This is the fifth time for Westbrook to deliver 20+ assists, more than Magic Johnson and Rajon Rondo (both four times) as well as Robertson (three times).
Moreover, only two players have ever scored 20+rebounds and 20+ assists in the same game. Chamberlain did it once and Westbrook did it twice.
Russell Westbrook (#4) of the Washington Wizards passes the ball in the game against the Indiana Pacers at Capital One Arena, May 3, 2021. /CFP
Westbrook is (178) only three triple-doubles away from matching Robertson's record (181).
"I used to always say he's going to probably go down as the third-best point guard ever, but I think he's passed one and he's going to go down as probably the second-best. One is obviously Magic [Johnson]. What he does, there's no point guard that has ever done it. Nobody. Nobody," said Scott Brooks, head coach of the Wizards.
"I'm grateful for somebody like Scotty, not just as a coach but as a friend. No. 1, he gave me my first opportunity to be able to go out and be me. He's always allowed me to do that since Day 1," said Westbrook.
Other games on Monday (away teams come first):
Stephen Curry (#30) of the Golden State Warriors celebrates after making a shot in the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S., May 3, 2021. /CFP
Golden State Warriors 123-108 New Orleans Pelicans
Like Westbrook, Draymond Green also put down a triple-double of 10 points, 13 rebounds and 15 assists for his team against the Pelicans on Monday. It's his 29th triple-double and the Warriors have won 28 of those games.
However, the biggest hero for the team at Smoothie King Center is Stephen Curry. Having gone 14-26 on the field and 8-18 from downtown, Curry got 41 points, four rebounds and eight assists. After this victory, the Warriors moved up to No. 8 in the Western Conference. If they stay there, they will only need one win in the play-in tournament to make the playoffs.
By contrast, the Pelicans are likely to say goodbye again to postseason competitions. Monday's loss dropped them to No. 11 in the West with a 29-36 record, 2.5 games away from No. 10 San Antonio Spurs and the last spot for play-in qualification. With only seven games to go, the Pelicans will need a miracle to reach the playoffs.
Carmolo Anthony (#00) of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots in the game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., May 3, 2021. /CFP
Portland Trail Blazers 114-123 Atlanta Hawks
Monday's loss on the road cost the Trail Blazers the chance to move to top 6 in the West and ruined Damian Lillard's 33 points and eight assists. Coach Terry Stotts' days in the team may be numbered.
But at least the team can still celebrate for Carmelo Anthony, who had 14 points at State Farm Arena and surpassed Elvin Hayes (27,313) to rank 10 (27,318) on the NBA All-Time Points Leaders table. Only LeBron James has scored more points than Anthony of all active players today.
"Top 10 in anything of all time is a special thing. I don't want to take this moment for granted. I understand how big this moment is. It don't seem real because I'm still in it, I'm still doing this," said Anthony.
Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on in the game against the Denver Nuggets at Steples Center in Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 3, 2021. /CFP
Denver Nuggets 89-93 Los Angeles Lakers
James had to sit on the home game because of right ankle problem, but the good news for the Lakers is that Anthony Davis made the best performance since he returned from injury by dropping 25 points, seven rebounds and three blocks.
Without their commander James and starting point guard Dennis Schroder, the purple and gold had to keep their offense simple, which meant Davis is their best, if not only option. Though he was still struggling with his jumpers (4-12), at least Davis was able to work his way into the paint. The Nuggets tried to have Aaron Gordon, a quality defender, cover him, but failed.
Anthony Davis (L) of the Los Angeles Lakers blocks a shot by Facundo Campazzo of the Denver Nuggets in the game at Staples Center, May 3, 2021. /CFP
Davis made more important contributions to the Lakers' defense. His ability of sweeping the floor enabled the team to apply aggressive ball pressuring without having to worry about giving too many open threes. Though the Lakers showed they could still be a tough defensive team without James or Davis, Davis could take their defense to the next level, which can't matter more when the team's offense slipped by so much.
Speaking of offense, coach Frank Vogel may want to force himself to grow flexible, if not creative with the team's rotation for the sake of offense. Andre Drummond is younger, faster and more athletic than Marc Gasol, but lack of soft touch and shooting range meant Gasol is the better choice than Drummond for offense in certain games. If Vogel had not replaced Drummond, who had only four points and five fouls with Gasol, who was 3-4 from downtown in the last quarter, the Lakers were unlikely to pocket this win and rise to No. 5 in the West.
Orlando Magic 119-112 Detroit Pistons
Philadelphia 76ers 106-94 Chicago Bulls
New York Knicks 118-104 Memphis Grizzlies
San Antonio Spurs 99-110 Utah Jazz
