NBA Players Pick Russell Westbrook For 2017 MVP After 42nd Triple-Double

The 2017 NBA MVP race is one of the most competitive in recent years, but Russell Westbrook might have locked up the award Sunday. At least that’s how many of the league’s players feel, following the Oklahoma City Thunder point guard’s record-setting night.

Westbrook recorded his 42nd triple-double of the season against the Denver Nuggets, surpassing the single-season record that Oscar Robertson had held for 55 years. Putting up 50 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists, the All-Star also hit a game-winning three-pointer as time expired, giving the Thunder a 106-105 victory and eliminating the Nuggets from playoff contention.

READ: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers remain only title contenders in Eastern Conference

Even after losing Kevin Durant to the Golden State Warriors in the summer, the Thunder are back in the postseason as the Western Conference’s No.6 seed, in large part because of Westbrook’s heroics. He’s made big shots night in and night out while putting up numbers that once seemed impossible.

Sunday’s performance was the exclamation point on Westbrook’s remarkable season, one that’s been so incredible that NBA stars felt the need to publicly declare him the MVP.

The overwhelming support for Westbrook came on the same day in which James Harden, Westbrook’s chief competitor for the MVP award, also posted a triple-double. The Houston Rockets’ shooting guard posted 35 points, 15 assists and 11 rebounds in a win over the Sacramento Kings, clinching the NBA’s third-best record for the Rockets.

LeBron James also had a triple-double Sunday. He’s been in the MVP conversation, as well, alongside Kawhi Leonard. But even the Cleveland Cavaliers’ star had to congratulate Westbrook for making history Sunday, joining a long list of players that praised the Oklahoma City star.

Westbrook’s performance gave him a triple-double with at least 50 points for the third time this season. No NBA player has accomplished that feat even three times in their career.

Westbrook leads the NBA with 31.9 points per game, scoring 2.6 points more than Harden, who ranks second in the league. His 10.4 assists per contest are good for third in the NBA, and he’s even in the top 10 in rebounds per game at 10.7. Westbrook is listed at 6’3, and every player that ranks ahead of him in rebounds stands no shorter than 6’10.

Stephen Curry has won the last two MVP awards, though he isn’t given any chance to win a third for the 2016-2017 season.