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Bob Levey/Associated Press
Thunder guard Russell Westbrook may have some competition in his quest to be the N.B.A.’s most valuable player.
Westbrook, having a season of amazing statistical achievements, got his league-leading 16th triple-double on Saturday in Oklahoma City’s win over the Los Angeles Clippers. But he was upstaged by a former teammate, Rockets guard James Harden, who had one of the most impressive triple-doubles in N.B.A. history.
Little context is needed to highlight Harden’s gargantuan output in a 129-122 victory over the Knicks. In 42 minutes, he had 53 points, 17 assists and 16 rebounds, becoming the first player in N.B.A. history to have 50 or more points and 15 or more assists and rebounds in a single game. That took the spotlight off Westbrook, at least temporarily.
Harden had assists on eight 3-pointers, so he had a hand in 95 of Houston’s 129 points, which according to the Elias Sports Bureau is second only to Wilt Chamberlain…
