Domantas Sabonis has had quite the stretch of top-notch play. After last night’s game, Sabonis has now recorded 44 straight double-doubles.
Double-double for Sabonis. That’s 44 straight.
— James Ham (@James_HamNBA) March 7, 2024
The Sacramento Kings defeated the Los Angeles Lakers by the score of 130-120 on Wednesday night. The 27-year-old Sabonis put up strong numbers across the box score again with a triple-double of 16 points, 20 rebounds, and 12 assists.
The last time Sabonis did not finish with a double-double was November 23, 2023, against the Los Angeles Clippers. The eight-year veteran has long surpassed Oscar Robertson’s previous record of 29 straight double-doubles in a single season.
With his 30th consecutive double-double tonight at Indiana, Domantas Sabonis has set the single season franchise double-double streak.
He passed Oscar Robertson who had a 29-game streak spanning from Dec. 6, 1961 to Jan. 30, 1962.
pic.twitter.com/SeUFzrRxsw— ₅ (@RunWithFox) February 3, 2024
Kings Star Continues Superb Double-Double Streak
Not Just Double-Doubles for Sabonis
As previously mentioned, Sabonis finished last night with a triple-double. That is his NBA-leading 22nd on the season.
The past two seasons have seen Nikola Jokic lead in the category. Thus far, he has 19, three behind Sabonis’ league-leading total.
Last season, Sabonis finished with 14 triple-doubles which was a career-best entering the season. He now has 54 for his career which is already the 11th-most in NBA history. Sabonis is five behind Larry Bird who is 10th all-time with 59.
Can he Reach the Modern Double-Double Record?
To the surprise of probably no one, Wilt Chamberlain holds the record for most consecutive double-doubles. Chamberlain totaled 227 straight double-doubles spanning from 1964 to 1967.
Sabonis absolutely has a chance though to break the record since the NBA-ABA merger in 1976. The longest streak since the merger was accomplished by Kevin Love who had 53 consecutive double-doubles while with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
That puts Sabonis just 10 away from surpassing Love’s mark. If he doesn’t miss any games and continues with his regular double-double games, he will have the opportunity to pass Love on March 25 against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Rebounding Machine
In his 61 games this season, Sabonis is averaging 13.5 rebounds. That is leading the NBA as Rudy Gobert is currently second at 12.8.
It would be the second straight season that Sabonis has led the league in rebounding. Last season, his 12.3 per game was tops in the league. Sabonis has averaged at least 12 rebounds per contest in each of the last five seasons.
Kings Fighting to Avoid Play-In Tournament
Last night’s victory improved Sacramento’s record to 35-26. Despite the wonderful play of both Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox this season, the Kings are in a battle to avoid the Play-In Tournament.
Right now, the team sits seventh in the Western Conference standings. The top six at the end of the regular season are guaranteed playoff berths, while seeds 7-10 take part in the Play-In Tournament.
It is a very tight race as seeds 5-10 in the West are separated by just four games. Right now, the Kings are a half game back of the Phoenix Suns for sixth and a game behind the New Orleans Pelicans for fifth.
In 2022-23, the Kings ended a lengthy stretch of 16 consecutive seasons not reaching the playoffs.
