Westbrook now owns Wizards assist record originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
Russell Westbrook has broken quite a few records this season, headlined of course by the career triple-doubles record previously held by Oscar Robertson. He got that one on Monday against the Atlanta Hawks.
Along the way, Westbrook also set Wizards/Bullets franchise records for triple-doubles in a season and in a career. Up next will be the franchise mark for assists per game in a single season.
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After notching 15 assists against Atlanta on Wednesday, Westbrook is averaging a career-high 11.68 per game this season. Even if he went without an assist in the Wizards' final two regular-season games, he would still edge John Wall's previous record of 10.7 assists per game, set back in 2016-17. Westbrook and Wall, of course, were traded for each other in December.
Westbrook's assist average is very high and not just within the context of the Wizards. He's on pace for the highest average since Rajon Rondo's 11.7 back in 2011-12 and the second-highest since John Stockton's 12.3 in 1994-95. If he closes the season strong, Westbrook could best Rondo and have the highest average in 27 years.
Westbrook's recent trajectory suggests he will keep raising that number. He's had 15 or more assists in six straight games, the first player to do that since Stockton in December of 1990.
Even if he doesn't raise his average further, it will be rare territory. Only eight players in NBA history have averaged at least 11.5 assists in a season and it's a good list: Magic Johnson, Steve Nash, John Stockton, Isiah Thomas, Rajon Rondo, Kevin Porter, Kevin Johnson and Chris Paul.
Westbrook is on track to win his third assists title, as he is far ahead of the next qualifying player, Trae Young, who is averaging 9.5 assists per game. Westbrook is also averaging a career-high in rebounds, at 11.5 per game, and that would be the most for a Wizards/Bullets player since Jeff Ruland averaged 12.3 in 1983-84.
What Westbrook is doing this season is extremely rare and he's continuing to make history in the process.
