Russell Westbrook only needed three quarters to get his first triple-double with the Washington Wizards, but will have to wait a little longer to get his first win.
The All-Star baseman made his Washington debut in the typical Westbrook fashion with 21 points, 15 assists and 11 rebounds. But it wasn’t enough to ruin the debut of Rius Doc with the Philadelphia 76ers as they took a 113-107 victory over the Wizards in Philadelphia.
Westbrook, who was replaced by John Wall before the start of training camp, became the sixth player in NBA history with a triple-double in his team debut, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
The baseman scored 13 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds at the end of the third quarter, becoming the first player with a triple-double in the first three quarters of his team’s season opener in the last 25 seasons, according to research by ESPN information and statistics. The Denver Nuggets ’Nikola Jokic then doubled the feat later Wednesday night when he also had a triple-double in three quarters.
That, however, is familiar territory for Westbrook, who now has 45 triples-doubles in his career in 3 quarters, nearly four times as many as any other player in the last 25 seasons.
Still, Westbrook didn’t get what he wanted most: his first win with the Wizards.
“Not good enough,” Westbrook said of his performance. “Honestly, I’m a little disappointed in myself, just a few setbacks and plays in which I could have been better.
“I don’t like to lose. At any point in my career, I love to go out and win the game. I have to be better in the next game.”
Westbrook hit 9 of 22 and missed his two triple attempts. But his new teammate in the back Bradley Beal scored 31 points and had four steals.
The Wizards said they felt Westbrook’s intensity and competitiveness from the start at camp. But Beal was finally able to see it and feel it in a real game.
“I love it,” Beal said. “Okay, it’s just a game, but I love his energy, his competitiveness and his responsibility at the end of the day. I think that’s what I love most about him. I’m the kind of man , I want responsibility, I want someone who’s going to light a fire under me, I want someone to tell me what I’m doing wrong.
“We keep that standard. I think Russ does it at a high, high level. I think it’s necessary. It’s a discharge to the rest of the team. He brings the energy, sets the tone and we feed on him. “
Westbrook and Beal had six ball losses each and Washington committed a total of 20 ball losses when Philadelphia scored 40 points in the final quarter to walk away. But Westbrook also admitted that he will commit and live with some ball losses if it comes to making the right play or if he is personally trying to prepare his teammates for the fast pace at which he plays.
After the defeat, Westbrook said he would study Beal’s film to learn more about his new, dynamic scoring base.
“It’s really good,” Westbrook said. “Not just to score basketball, but to create space and get to his places. As I watch the movie, once I get on that plane, I’ll learn and see how I can help him, make the game easier for him. We continue this journey.
“This is the first of many [juegos]”So we have to make sure, I have to make sure I can make the game easier for him along the way.”