OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Russell Westbrook set career highs with 49 points and 16 rebounds, and added 10 assists for his fourth consecutive triple-double, helping the Oklahoma City Thunder defeat the Philadelphia 76ers 123-118 in overtime Wednesday night.
Westbrook became the first player since Michael Jordan in 1989 to post at least four consecutive triple-doubles, according to STATS, and the first since Jordan that same year to post back-to-back triple-doubles with at least 40 points. It was the most points by any player with a triple-double since Larry Bird also scored 49 in 1992.
Westbrook wore a mask and a headband after having a bone in his right cheek fractured last Friday against Portland. He had surgery Saturday and missed Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Isaiah Canaan had career highs of 31 points and eight 3-pointers, and Jason Richardson added 29 points for the 76ers.