NBA: Russell Westbrook breaks triple double record, hits buzzer-beater for win

Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder goes to the basket against the Denver Nuggets. Photo/Getty Images

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook has celebrated his record-breaking 42nd triple double of the NBA season in poetic fashion, hitting a buzzer-beating three-pointer for victory over Denver Nuggets.

Off an assist from Kiwi centre Steven Adams.

Westbrook is a beast! Triple double with the Game Winner. #GoAAWOL pic.twitter.com/TSCUMKVEke

— Win. (@WeAreWinSports) April 9, 2017

Westbook's final exclamation point edged the Thunder 106-105 over Denver and brought up 50 points for the game, to go with his 15 rebounds and 10 assists.

He achieved his triple double with a pass to back-up point guard Semaj Christon for a three with 4m 17s remaining, as OKC rallied from 14 points down in the final quarter.

The achievement betters Oscar Robertson's record, set 55 years ago. Westbrook had already secured a triple-double average for the season in his previous outing.

Adams finished with a double double of 10 points/10 rebounds, but his second assist of the game proved the pivotal play.

"It's amazing. It's something I never dreamed about as a kid."

Russell Westbrook speaks on his historic night! #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/6JlzJw96cJ

— NBA (@NBA) April 9, 2017

The win raises Oklahoma City to 46 wins/34 losses for the season, with two more games remaining in the regular season, good for sixth in the Western Conference.

It also eliminated Denver from playoff contention - the eighth and final spot in the West goes to Portland Trailblazers.

The Thunder will face Houston Rockets in the first round of playoffs, providing a classic confrontation between Westbrook and MVP rival James Harden, who was traded out of Oklahoma City for the draft pick that became Steven Adams.