The triple-double is a statistical achievement attained by reaching double digits in any three statistical categories. It stands as a testament to a player’s versatility and dominance on the court. Players with triple-doubles are the ones who leave their mark with extraordinary all-around performance.
Throughout the annals of the NBA postseason, many players have demonstrated their prowess by recording numerous triple-doubles and leaving fans in awe. Let’s take a look at the top 10 players with the most triple-doubles in NBA playoffs.
#10. Oscar Robertson – 8 Triple-Doubles
While history acknowledges Oscar Robertson as the pioneer of regularly achieving double figures in three statistical categories within a single game, the term “triple-double” had not yet been coined during the 1960s when Robertson was playing in the NBA.
Robertson’s exceptional performances often included impressive numbers in points, rebounds, and assists, setting a precedent for versatile contributions. However, the recognition of his remarkable feat with the specific label of a “triple-double” came much later.
During his 86 career postseason games, Oscar Robertson averaged 22.2 points, 8.9 assists, and 6.7 rebounds. Oscar Robertson’s outstanding play in the playoffs was crucial to his team’s success, racking up eight triple-doubles in his postseason career. His flexibility and skill were on full display in the 1963 NBA playoffs, when he recorded an impressive five triple-double to demonstrate his impact in a variety of statistical categories.
In the 1964 and 1966 NBA playoffs, he followed this tendency by securing triple-doubles, demonstrating his persistent excellence on the floor. Robertson was an invaluable asset for his team because of his ability to put up the stats and steer them into the playoffs.
#9. Wilt Chamberlain – 9 Triple-Doubles
Wilt Chamberlin is an NBA legend who is remembered by fans for his various records and performances in the NBA. Chamberlain’s spectacular plays in all the playoffs especially during the 1967 run showed how much he meant to the squad.
In that single campaign, he was able to demonstrate his all-around skills by racking up seven triple-doubles. However, his chances for a triple-double record performance decreased when Chamberlain shifted his attention from assists to scoring and rebounding.
In 160 career postseason games, Wilt Chamberlain averaged 24.5 rebounds, 22.5 points, and 4.2 assists while recording nine triple-doubles in his playoffs career. His impact on basketball is something that cannot be ignored due to his many records.
Chamberlain’s great performance was a major role in the Philadelphia 76ers’ 1967 NBA title run. During his career, he won two rings along with being the only player ever to score 100 points in a single game.
#8. Rajon Rondo –10 Triple-Doubles
While playing for the Boston Celtics, Rajon Rondo became a dangerous triple-double threat thanks to his remarkable court vision and playmaking skills. He proved in the playoffs that he could efficiently locate his open teammates, especially the Celtics’ big three, when they were at their best.
Rajon Rondo has a total of 10 triple-doubles in playoffs. Widely regarded as one of the best ball-handlers in NBA history, Rondo’s all-round skills saw him average 12.5 points, 8.5 assists and 5.6 rebounds per game in the playoffs.
Rondo has shown his playmaking prowess and basketball IQ in 134 playoffs games and has been a vital contributor in every single one. With Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen leading the way for the Boston Celtics, Rajon Rondo was an essential part of the lineup.
Because of his ability to dish out assists and boards, he was an unstoppable force. Rondo’s effect in the playoffs might have been even greater if not for his limited scoring production, which prevented him from having even more triple-doubles.
#7. Larry Bird–10 Triple-Doubles
With 10 playoff triple-doubles, Larry Bird played in 165 playoff games and showed his all-round abilities and competitive passion. The Celtics legend scored 23.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 6.5 assists in his playoffs career.
Larry Bird was a playoff machine throughout his career, recording at least one triple-double in seven separate postseasons. His presence on the field was huge, and he frequently took his performance to a new level in the playoffs.
He played a huge role with his contributions to the Boston Celtics’ championship run in the 1986 playoffs, during which he recorded three triple-doubles. He has won three championships during his career in the NBA.
Larry Bird transformed the game and was a great 3-point shooter with spotless accuracy. Bird’s flexibility, scoring prowess, and basketball IQ helped him garner countless honors and cement his place in basketball folklore.
#6. Draymond Green–10 Triple-Doubles
Draymond Green also has a total of 10 triple-doubles in the playoffs. His defense and ability to work as a team player with different roles has helped the Warriors in many ways. The forward averaged a total of 11.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game in the playoffs.
Green’s efforts on defense and offense have been pivotal in the Warriors’ championship campaigns, and he is known for his grit, leadership, and flexibility as he has won four rings with them.
Draymond Green’s all-round plays for the team helped them maintain a strong headed team. He has been an unmissable part of the team as hailed by his teammates and head coach Steve Kerr.
#5. Jason Kidd – 11 Triple-Doubles
Jason Kidd has 11 triple-doubles in 158 postseason games. Kidd displayed his all-round prowess with the Phoenix Suns, New Jersey Nets (now Brooklyn Nets), Dallas Mavericks, and New York Knicks in a staggering 17 postseason appearances.
He has averaged 12.9 points, 8 assists, and 6.7 rebounds in 158 playoffs games during his career. In the playoffs, Jason Kidd was a game-changer for his teams, recording triple-doubles as evidence of his superior talent and basketball IQ.
Kidd’s passing skills were unrivaled, as he had 20 assists on his way to a postseason triple-double, joining the likes of Magic Johnson and Rajon Rondo. Kidd’s leadership and playmaking were crucial to the New Jersey Nets’ two trips to the NBA Finals. Kidd’s impact on the sport will be remembered for a long time thanks to his impressive postseason track record.
#4. Russell Westbrook – 12 Triple-Doubles
Russell Westbrook has a total of 12 playoff triple-doubles to date in his career. However, the feat seems more impressive when you account for the factor that he has played in fewer games postseason games than all other players mentioned before him. Although Brodie has never won a ring during his time in the NBA, he is a consistent force in guiding his teams to the playoffs.
Russel Westbrook is also known for his great performances during the regular season as well since he had many games with triple-doubles in the 82-game run before the post-season starts.
In his playoffs career, he has scored an average of 24.5 points, 7.9 assists, and 7 rebounds. Russell Westbrook, aka Mr. Triple-Double, is a formidable opponent because of his incessant drive for improvement and the undeniable effect he has on the floor with his all-round skills.
#3. Nikola Jokic – 16 Triple-Doubles
The Denver Nuggets star center Nikola Jokic has only played 68 playoff games to date. In these 68 post-season appearances, the Nuggets center has already recorder 16 triple-doubles.
Jokic is ready to increase his postseason appearance rate now that he has the amazing Nuggets squad at his disposal. His all-around ability is a huge asset as he can make plays for himself as well as find his open teammates.
Jokic has a playoff average of 27.5 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 7.3 assists. As Jokic’s career progresses, his reputation as a basketball phenomenon only grows.
The Denver Nuggets made it all the way to the NBA Finals for the first time in their 47-year history due to Nikola Jokic’s incredible playoff performance. Jokic’s extraordinary abilities as a playmaker and scorer were crucial to the team’s victory in the playoffs.
#2. LeBron James – 28 Triple-Doubles
LeBron James has compiled an astounding total of 28 triple-doubles throughout 16 playoffs campaigns with the Cavaliers, Heat, and Lakers. The King has won a ring with all the three different teams he has played for. His popularity on and off the court has made him the most followed NBA athlete across social media platforms.
With playoffs career averages of 28.5 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists in 282 games, LeBron James’ performance in the postseason has been nothing short of spectacular. His amazing abilities have allowed him to come close to a triple-double in practically every season of his career.
LeBron’s postseason effect has been crucial in guiding his teams to long playoff runs. This achievement is a tribute to his dominance on the court and the reason why many call him “King James.”
#1. Magic Johnson – 30 Triple-Doubles
Lakers legend Magic Johnson has the most playoff triple-doubles with a staggering 30 triple-doubles to his name. He achieved this incredible feat while averaging just 39.7 minutes per game in 190 games during 13 postseason campaigns.
Magic Johnson’s statistics are a huge reason why he was able to lead the Lakers to five NBA titles with three NBA Finals MVP awards to his name. Magic was a postseason hero, routinely guiding his teams to lengthy playoff runs. He was a playoff regular, appearing in at least 14 postseason games in successive seasons.
As soon as the playoffs started, Magic started showing off his incredible abilities, racking up 30 triple-doubles, nine of which came in the Finals against superstars like Michael Jordan and Larry Bird. Johnson’s remarkable court vision, passing, and basketball intelligence were huge factors in the success of the teams he was a part of.
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