Russell Westbrook needed just three quarters to get his first triple-double as a Washington Wizard, but he will have to wait a little longer to get his first win.
The All-Star guard made his Washington debut in the typical Westbrook style with 21 points, 15 assists and 11 rebounds. But it wasn’t enough to spoil Doc Rivers’ Philadelphia debut, as the Sixers had a 113-107 victory over the Philadelphia Wizards.
Westbrook, who was replaced by John Wall before the training ground, became only the sixth player in NBA history with a triple-double in his team debut, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
The point guard had 13 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds at the end of the third quarter, becoming the first triple-double player in the first three quarters of his team’s season opening in the past 25 seasons, according to ESPN Stats & Em formation. Nikola Jokic, from Denver, doubled the feat on Wednesday night, when she also did a triple-double in three quarters.
This, however, is familiar territory for Westbrook, who now has 45 triple doubles in three quarters – almost four times more than any other player in the past 25 seasons.
Still, Westbrook didn’t get what he really wanted – his first win with the Wizards.
“It’s not good enough,” said Westbrook of his performance. “Honestly, I’m a little disappointed in myself, just a few setbacks and moves where 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 out of 22 and missed both attempts for 3 points. But new defense mate Bradley Beal scored 31 points and made four steals.
The Wizards said they felt Westbrook’s intensity and competitiveness from the beginning at the camp. But Beal was finally able to see and feel it in a real game.
“I love it,” said Beal. “Okay, it’s just a game, but I just 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 type of guy, I want responsibility, I want someone who will light a fire under me, I want someone to tell me what I’m doing wrong.
“We maintain that standard. I think Russ does it at a very high level. I think it is necessary. It is a direct transfer to the rest of the team. He brings the energy, he sets the tone and we feed him.”
Westbrook and Beal had six twists each and Washington made a total of 20 twists while Philadelphia scored 40 points in the fourth period to get away.
After the defeat, Westbrook said he was going to study Beal’s film to learn more about dynamic scoring guard.
“He’s very, very good,” said Westbrook. “Not only to score basketball, but also to create space and get to your seats. As I watch the movie, as soon as I get on this plane, I will learn and see how I can help him, make the game easier for him, we follow on that journey.
“This is the first of many [games], so we have to make sure, I have to make sure that I can make the game easier for him along the way. “