After getting a triple-double in the Trail Blazers’ win over the Timberwolves on Monday, Evan Turner said, “Straight up, I’m really tired.”
He still found enough energy to get another triple-double two days later.
The backup wing had 13 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists in Portland’s win over the Grizzlies last night. That makes Turner the first player ever to record consecutive triple doubles as a backup.
ESPN:
Evan Turner is the first player since starts were first recorded (1970-71) with consecutive triple-doubles off the bench 💪 (via @EliasSports) pic.twitter.com/EPvM1BHgy1
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 4, 2019
Clyde Drexler came close to accomplishing the feat. In three straight games off the Trail Blazers’ bench during the 1985-86 season, he had:
- 23 points, 15 rebounds, 11 assists
- 23 points, 7 rebounds, 12 assists
- 18 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists
Drexler is the only other player with multiple triple-doubles as a reserve in the same season since 1983-84, as far back as Basketball-Reference records go.
Sometimes, players get outsized credit just because they come off the bench. It’s an easy way to separate mostly lesser backups from mostly better starters. See Sixth Man of the Year.
But as a reserve, Turner had to cram his statistical accumulation into a shorter period of time. He played just 25 and 28 minutes the last two games. Russell Westbrook is the only other player with consecutive triple-doubles while playing fewer than 32 minutes since 1983-84.
