ATLANTA • Russell Westbrook's triple-double streak continued on Monday night, as did the team streaks of the Oklahoma Thunder and the Atlanta Hawks.
He had 32 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists as Oklahoma City prevailed 102-99 to boost their winning run to six and extend the Hawks' stretch of losses to seven.
It was the sixth consecutive triple-double by Westbrook and his 11th of the season in 22 games. The streak is the longest in the National Basketball Association (NBA) since Michael Jordan did it for seven straight games in 1989.
"What Russell is doing is incredible, remarkable. It's something the league hasn't seen like this in a long, long time," Thunder coach Billy Donovan said.
"But I also give Russell, and our guys, a lot of credit. They're all trying to make one another better."
The Hawks, who lost their previous two games by 36 and 44 points, cut a 15-point lead to 90-87 midway the fourth quarter, but Westbrook scored seven straight points in a key stretch and the Thunder (14-8) held on after their star made two free throws with 78 seconds left.
After getting the ball with 9.6 seconds remaining down by three points, the Hawks (10-12) had hoped to get a quick basket if available. Tim Hardaway Jr, though, fumbled the ball before missing a long three-point shot at the buzzer.
Westbrook said: "We made it tough on them. We just got a stop when we needed one."
The 28-year-old guard also had one block, one steal and four turnovers.
"He does so many different things," said the Hawks' Thabo Sefolosha, a former Thunder team-mate who had to try and defend Westbrook. "He has such a high energy level. You have to try to take his air space, contest his shot. He made a bunch tonight."
Westbrook, who has 48 triple-doubles in his career, is now three away from matching the legendary Wilt Chamberlain's all-time record of nine consecutive triple-doubles set in 1968.
Westbrook has compiled 11 triple-doubles so far this season - the same number as the rest of the NBA combined.
Anthony Morrow had 15 points and Victor Oladipo scored 14 for the Thunder, who got 12 points and 10 rebounds from Steven Adams.
Paul Millsap, returning for the Hawks after missing three games with a hip injury, scored 24 points.
REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
