What Is a Triple-Double and a Double-Double in Basketball? 

Basketball is widely recognized as a sport demanding both skill and athleticism. Fans of NBA teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers or the Golden State Warriors rave about their favorite players scoring points, handing out assists, and racking up steals to keep control of the game. However, what gets lost in the seeming simplicity of the sport is its underlying complexity. 

While most fans are concerned with which team has the best odds for wins or losses, the more technically minded keep tabs on the double-double or triple-double records from their favorite players. But what exactly are those? In simple terms, these are milestones that are mapped statistically and highlight great performances from players who are either already declared legends or are on their way to earning such status.  

Double-Double in Basketball Explained 

What is a double-double in basketball and why do bettors follow these stats? Plainly put, players’ performances are tracked based on five major statistical categories: 

• Points 

• Assists 

• Rebounds 

• Blocks 

• Steals 

Thus, the feats of players are judged across the number of points they score, the rebounds they get, the assists they contribute, the steals they register, or the shots they block.  

A double-double essentially means that a player has maintained a record of getting double-digit counts across two official stats during a match. For example, a player with 10 shots and 10 assists would have earned a double-double.  

It became an official NBA (National Basketball Association) stat during the 1976-77 season, following the merger between the NBA and ABA (American Basketball Association). In the historical double list for the NBA, Tim Duncan holds the record for the most double-doubles recorded, with a total of 841. On the second and third spots are Karl Malone and Hakeem Olajuwon, with 814 and 775 double doubles respectively.

What Is a Triple-Double in Basketball? 

A triple-double is an even bigger deal and adds another layer to the player’s elite status. Some might get confused by the name itself, but it’s simpler than you’d think. A player recording a triple-double means that they’ve scored double-digit points during a match across three out of the five official stats that we mentioned before. For instance, a player making 14 assists, 10 blocks, and 12 shots would be recognized as a triple-double.  

Triple-doubles became an official feat during the 1979-80 NBA season. The legendary Russell Westbrook has the record of reaching the most triple-doubles in history, with his count reaching 202 in his career. Then comes Oscar Robertson with 181 counts, while the fourth spot is held by Magic Johnson with 138 counts. The third and fifth spots go out to Nikola Jokić with 155 counts and the immensely loved LeBron James with 122 counts, both of which you can still bet on some of the top NBA sportsbooks in the market.  

Double-Double vs. Triple-double in Sports Betting 

In the world of sports betting, basketball remains a preferred choice, as millions of fans follow the NBA playoffs with a scrutinizing eye. Betting across double-doubles and triple-doubles varies heavily since their frequency is different, and thus, sports bettors must adjust for risk accordingly. 

For the former, centers and power forwards are the likely candidates to bet on, and thus the player prop markets favor the likes of Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets) and Anthony Davis (Dallas Mavericks). There are lower odds for double-doubles since they’re statistically frequent, and thus players can make prop bets with low-risk, lower payouts.  

This is contrasted by the higher stakes involved in triple-double betting. Since it’s rare for players to hit double-digit scores in three different categories, the odds are much higher because of the lower probability.  

However, bettors still tend to favor players with diverse skill sets, such as Luka Dončić (LA Lakers) and Russell Westbrook (Denver Nuggets). Some of the best basketball sportsbooks offer prop bets on the likelihood of double-doubles and triple-doubles from your favorite players. While these sportsbooks can help players bet on the players’ anticipated milestones, they also contribute to the overall excitement that comes from observing a match.

Influence of Game-Changing Players in the NBA 

The five major statistics measuring the players, and milestones such as triple-doubles and even quadruple-doubles, have shaped the way teams form their rosters.  

Players who remain consistent with their double-doubles, such as Clint Capela and Domantas Sabonis, play a crucial role in keeping the momentum in a team’s favor. These players often contribute to nailing hoops and scoring rebounds. Similarly, characteristic triple-double scorers such as Russell Westbrook and Nikola Jokić play a bigger role since they dominate across three different metrics during the game. 

Players who average more milestones across their careers are considered for MVP titles. This also fuels their demand, and throughout their careers, they are more likely to be All-Star inclusions and Hall of Fame members. 

Everything about these stats shows us double-doubles and triple-doubles reflect not only the player’s ability to shift the balance of the game but the benefits to sports betting markets as well. While legends such as Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, and Wilt Chamberlain have made long-lasting records in the history of the NBA, other pros like LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant are pushing the envelope further. 

Impact of Double-Doubles and Triple-Doubles 

Over the years, team building has also transformed in the NBA, as most teams seek to add players to their rosters who can cover more ground by taking charge of scoring across multiple stats. The ability to fill up that stat sheet in numerous ways has become highly valuable as these players improve the overall team efficiency but also some unpredictability to the game. By recruiting players who can contribute to the team through multiple aspects of the game, the team itself is setting itself up for long-term success. This kind of flexibility is the key to balancing defense, offense, and gameplay.