Los Angeles (AFP)

Washington Wizards star Russell Westbrook netted the 181st triple-double of his NBA career on Saturday in his team's victory over the Indiana Pacers, while Stephen Curry scored 49 points, now Golden State at his place of barrage.

"RussWest" had 33 points, 19 rebounds, 15 assists, his 35th "TD" in the 2020-2021 fiscal year, the 181st of his career, thus tying the historic record in the matter of the legendary Oscar Robertson.

It is already certain, with four games to go to the end of the regular season, to finish it with a triple-double average.

A feat he has already accomplished three times in the past.

“Dude, that's amazing,” he commented, referring to his ranking alongside Robertson, who played fourteen years in the NBA from 1960 to 1974. “I'm so blessed and grateful. I'm just grateful for everything. the world throughout this adventure. "

He will be able to break Robertson's record on Monday against Atlanta.

Legendary Lakers point guard Magic Johnson is third in the table (138) and former 2000s star point guard Jason Kidd is fourth (107).

Lakers superstar LeBron James is the only other active player in the top 5 with 99 successful triple-doubles in his career.

His performance, combined with 50 points from his teammate Bradley Beal, made it difficult for their team to overcome Indiana after extra time (133-132) to snatch him the 9th place in the play-off in the Eastern Conference.

"I am very proud to give everything I have on the pitch. Tonight was another of those nights where you have to put in the effort and find a solution," he said.

- Comfortable Utah and Philly -

Another player marked the spirits on Saturday night is Stephen Curry with his 49 points for Golden State, winner (136-97) of Oklahoma City.

Faced with the star, author in particular of 11 three-point baskets, his trainer Steve Kerr himself admits: "I can not even find the words to describe it".

This victory allows the Warriors to stay in 8th place in the Western Conference, ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies, who won on their side against Toronto (109-99), thanks in particular to the double-double achieved by Jonas Valanciunas (18 pts, 21 rbds).

Still in the West, the San Antonio Spurs, in 10th place, failed (102-124) against Portland, 6th, which hardly does the business of the defending champions, the Los Angeles Lakers, 7th behind the Blazers .

The Utah Jazz, meanwhile, does not have this type of problem: winner against the Houston Rockets (124-116) - guaranteed to finish among the worst teams of the season -, he confirms his first place, with a record of 50 wins for just 18 losses this season.

The Frenchie Rudy Gobert did the job, with 13 points and 14 rebounds, while Georges Niang (24) and Jordan Clarkson (21) collected the points.

In the Eastern Conference, it is still the Philadelphia 76ers who are in the lead, after having also won their duel on Saturday night in front of Detroit (118-104), dead last.

Cameroonian Joel Embiid, already imperial the day before against the Pelicans and candidate for the MVP trophy of the season, crushed the meeting of his class by scoring 29 points.

The Sixers precede the Brooklyn Nets in the standings, who had to fight hard to get rid of the Denver Nuggets (125-119), helped in this by his two "big", Kevin Durant (33 pts) and Kyrie Irving (31 pts) .

© 2021 AFP