Triple-double
Meaning
In basketball, a triple-double is the achievement of accumulating a double-digit total in three of five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, or blocked shots in a single game.
Origin
The term "triple-double" burst into the basketball lexicon in the 1980s, born from the dazzling, all-encompassing play of stars like Magic Johnson. Before this era, players undoubtedly achieved these statistical marvels, but the concise, punchy phrase simply didn't exist. It was Los Angeles Lakers public relations director Bruce Jolesch and statistician Harvey Pollack who are often credited with popularizing the term. They needed a powerful way to describe Johnson's unprecedented ability to dominate multiple facets of the game, consistently hitting double digits in points, rebounds, and assists. The phrase quickly caught on, becoming the ultimate shorthand for a player’s statistical mastery and a new benchmark for all-around excellence on the hardwood.
Examples
- The rookie point guard amazed fans by recording a triple-double in only his third professional game.
- LeBron James consistently racks up triple-doubles, showcasing his incredible all-around versatility on the court.