Tuesday night was an epic evening for Oklahoma City Thunder player Russell Westbrook as he made NBA history. The point guard became the second player in the NBA to ever receive a 20-20-20 triple-double—a feat he accomplished in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers. In the game, Westbrook achieved 20 points, 21 assists, and 20 rebounds. The only other player who boasts the accomplishment is Wilt Chamberlain who hooped 22 points, 25 rebounds, and 21 assists back in 1968.
Although Westbrook represents Oklahoma City to the fullest, as he's played for the Thunder team since 2008, the basketball star is a Los Angeles native, growing up in Long Beach and later attending college at UCLA. Westbrook, along with millions of others, was stunned by the news of rapper Nipsey Hussle's murder, and he wanted to honor his friend and fellow L.A. native by wearing a Crenshaw t-shirt and listening to his songs during the team's warm-ups.
Following his 20th rebound in the final minute of play, the 30-year-old NBA player yelled, "That's for Nipsey!" TNT caught up with Westbrook after the game, and reporter Jason Terry asked him about his history-making night. "That wasn’t for me. That was for my bro. That was for Nipsey," Westbrook said. "Twenty plus 20 plus 20, they know what that means." Some believe that Westbrook was referring to the Rollin' 60s, the Crips gang that Nipsey was affiliated with. "Rest in Peace Nipsey."
“[He was] somebody I looked up to, somebody that paved the way for a guy like myself growing up in the inner city,” Westbrook said. “To have those conversations with him, I’m just truly saddened by the situation. Just continue to pray for his family, his wife, his daughter, and continue to live on his legacy in the right way,” he added. “Be positive in the community and for sure, I’m gonna do my part.”