Expert: Borko Bariæ - 5/11/2004

Question
In the NBA, has anyone ever had a quadruple-double? Has anyone ever had a tripe-double of some kind without points being one of them (for example, rebounds, asists, and steals, etc.)?

Answer
Hi, Luke.

Since blocks and steals weren't recorded as a statistical category before 1974, we have no exact knowledge were there any notable results in that area before that year. However, since 1974, there were 4 such extraordinary achievements:

1974 - Nate Thurmond: 22p, 14r, 13a, 12b
1986 - Alvin Robertson: 20p, 11r, 10a, 10s
1990 - Hakeem Olajuwon: 18p, 16r, 10a, 11b
1994 - David Robinson: 34p, 10r, 10a, 10b

I also know for a fact Clyde Drexler had something like 28 points, 12 rebounds, 10 steals and 9 assists on opening night in 1996-97 season, and I think Larry Bird was close once. And, of course, the late Wilt Chamberlain used to say he would have many 4D-s had the blocks been recorded during his prime (Bill Russell probably would have had a few as well).  There were no quintuple-doubles since 1974, although Andrei Kirilenko flirted with the idea a few times this past season.
Also, to my knowledge, there was never a triple-double without points being one of the categories, unless maybe if you count turnovers ;-)

I hope that answered your question.


Borko