By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Memphis Grizzlies clinched a spot in the play-in round ahead of the 2020 NBA playoffs with the win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday as Jonas Valanciunas and Ja Morant became just the tenth pair of teammates to register a triple-double in the same game. Their joint accomplishment includes them in a list packed with NBA legends.
The Lithuanian big dominated the action in the Orlando bubble with 26 points, 19 rebounds, and 12 assists to his name. Teammate Morant added 12 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists.
The first pair of teammates recording a triple-double in the same night was back in 1962 and the latest nearly a year ago.
The complete list of teammates posting a triple-double in the same NBA game:
January 1962: Oscar Robertson (28-14-16) and Bucky Buckhorn (19-10-12), Cincinnati Royals vs. Philadelphia Warriors
March 1964: Ray Scott (23-20-11) and Donnie Butcher (19-15-15), Detroit Pistons vs. New York Knicks
March 1969: Lenny Wilkens (36-14-14) and Art Harris (14-10-10), Seattle Supersonics vs. San Diego Rockets
December 1982: Magic Johnson (26-16-12) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (19-10-10), Los Angeles Lakers vs. Detroit Pistons
March 1987: Larry Bird (17-13-12) and Robert Parrish (14-10-10), Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers
January 1989: Michael Jordan (41-10-11) and Scottie Pippen (15-10-12), Chicago Bulls vs. Los Angeles Clippers
April 2007: Vince Carter (46-16-10) and Jason Kidd (10-16-18), New Jersey Nets vs. Washington Wizards
December 2018: LeBron James (24-12-11) and Lonzo Ball (16-10-10), Los Angeles Lakers vs. Charlotte Hornets
December 2019: Bam Adebayo (30-11-11) and Jimmy Butler (20-18-10), Miami Heat vs. Atlanta Hawks
August 2020: Jonas Valanciunas (26-19-12) and Ja Morant (12-13-10), Memphis Grizzlies vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Photo Credit: Getty Images