13 hours Ago By Timothy Rapp
Denver Nuggets point guard Russell Westbrook was called for a technical foul after staring down a member of the Memphis Grizzlies following a layup during Tuesday's 122-110 League Cup win. On Wednesday, the NBA announced that Westbrook's technical foul was rescinded. Outside of that controversial—and since-reversed—technical foul, the night was also memorable for Westbrook after he became the first player in NBA history to record 200 career triple-doubles, posting 12 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists in the win.
"It's a blessing," Westbrook told reporters about hitting that milestone. "I'm truly grateful to be able to play the game [well enough] to do that. But I'm also appreciative of the ones who came before me.
" "It's hard to put into words," Nuggets guard Julian Strawther added. "Two-hundred triple-doubles is a lot. I don't even know if I've got 200 career games.
" In the NBA, at least, Strawther is only at 63 career contests. Westbrook, 36, has largely come off the bench for the Nuggets this season as the backup point guard to Jamal Murray, averaging a solid 10.8 points, six assists and 4.
8 rebounds across 24.6 minutes. It's a role he's been asked to embrace later in his career after being a nine-time All-Star, two-time scoring champion and one-time MVP during his prime years.
His willingness to do so in Denver has been a contributing factor to the team's solid 8-5 start, adding important depth. The second unit was a concern heading into the season, especially after the free agency loss of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope pushed Christian Braun into the starting lineup. Westbrook hasn't solved all of those issues, but he continues to contribute at a solid level.
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