Russell Westbrook only needed three quarters to get his first triple-double as the Washington Wizard, but he will have to wait a little longer to get his first win.
The All-Star defender debuted in Washington with typical Westbrook fashion with 21 points, 15 assists and 11 rebounds. But it wasn’t enough to ruin Doc Rivers ’debut in Philadelphia, as the Sixers got a 113-107 victory over the Wizards in Philadelphia.
Westbrook, who was replaced by John Wall before training camp, became the sixth player in NBA history with a triple-double in his team debut, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
The goalkeeper 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 in the last 25 seasons, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. Denver’s Nikola Jokic doubled the feat Wednesday night when he also had a triple-double at three-quarters.
This, however, is familiar territory for Westbrook, who now has 45 career triple-doubles in three quarters, nearly four times as many as any other player in the last 25 seasons.
Still, Westbrook didn’t get what he really wanted: his first win with the Wizards.
“It’s not good enough,” Westbrook said of his performance. “Honestly, I’m disappointed with myself, just with some setbacks and plays where I could have been better.
“I don’t like to lose. At any point in my career, I love going out to win the game. I have to be better the next game.”
Westbrook shot 9-on-22 and missed both 3-point attempts. But new track mate Bradley Beal scored 31 points and scored four steals.
The Wizards said they felt Westbrook’s intensity and competitiveness from the start on the field. But Beal was finally able to see it and feel it in a real game.
“I love it,” Beal said. “It’s true it’s just a game, but at the end of the day I love his energy, his competitiveness and his accountability. I think that’s what I like most about him. I’m the kind of guy. , I want accountability, I want someone to catch fire under me, someone to tell me what I’m doing wrong.
“We maintain that standard. I think Russ does it at a high and high level. I think it’s necessary. It’s a direct transfer to the rest of the team. He brings the energy, sets the tone and feeds on him.”
Westbrook and Beal had six rotations each and Washington committed a total of 20 rotations as Philadelphia scored 40 points in the fourth quarter to retire.
After the loss, Westbrook said he was going to study Beal’s film to learn more about the dynamic scoring guard.
“It’s very, very good,” Westbrook said. “Not just to score basketball, but to create space and get to his places. While I watch movies, once I get on this plane, I will learn and see how I can help him, I make the game easier for him as we continue this journey.
“This is the first of many [games], so we have to make sure, I have to make sure I can make the game easier for him along the way. “