Thunder's Westbrook reaches triple-ton milestone

RUSSELL Westbrook snared the 100th triple-double of his career on Tuesday as the Oklahoma City Thunder closed in on a playoff berth with a 119-107 defeat of the Atlanta Hawks.

Westbrook finished with 32 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists to become only the fourth player in National Basketball Association history to record a century of triples.

The 29-year-old Thunder star joins Oscar Robertson (181), Magic Johnson (138) and Jason Kidd (107) as the latest member of the exclusive club of triple-double centurions.

Reigning NBA MVP Westbrook had already claimed Robertson’s single-season triple-double record last year, with 42.

“It’s a blessing man, I give all thanks to the man above for the ability to play basketball,” Westbrook said afterward when asked about his milestone.

“I’m just thankful to be able to do it here in Oklahoma City with my teammates, happy to be able to accomplish something like that,” he added.

Westbrook led the scoring, with Carmelo Anthony adding 21 points and Jerami Grant contributing 20 off the bench as the Thunder improved to 41-29.

Oklahoma City is fourth in the Western Conference standings, two wins ahead of the fifth-placed New Orleans Pelicans, who beat the Charlotte Hornets 119-115, behind Anthony Davis’ 31 points and 14 rebounds.

Although not mathematically certain of a place in the postseason, only a major collapse is likely to deny the Thunder a playoff berth.

Taurean Prince had 25 points and Dennis Schroder added 18 points for the Hawks, who have lost four in a row.

Elsewhere in the NBA on Tuesday, it was: Cavaliers 129, Suns 107; Jazz 110, Pistons 79; Spurs 108, Magic 72; Clippers 112, Bulls 106; Lakers 112, Nuggets 103; Timberwolves 116, Wizards 111; Pacers 101, 76ers 98; Raptors 116, Nets 102; and Mavericks 110, Knicks 97.