Russell Westbrook’s incredible tribute to rapper Nipsey Hussle

Russell Westbrook picked perhaps the most difficult — and incredible — way imaginable to pay his respects to fellow LA product Nipsey Hussle.

Only one player in NBA history had ever produced a 20-20-20 statline — the incomparable Wilt Chamberlain.

But searching for a way to properly pay his respects to rapper Nipsey Hussle — who was gunned down outside his clothing store over the weekend — Russell Westbrook knew he had to do something special.

In one of the most remarkable performances you’ll ever see, Westbrook finished with 20 points and 20 rebounds — and went one better with 21 assists — in the Thunder’s 119-103 win against the Lakers.

“That wasn’t for me, that was for my bro Nipsey,” Westbrook said. “20 + 20 + 20 — they know what that means.”

The significance of the number?

Nipsey Hussle was a member of the Rollin 60’s Crips — an LA street gang.

"That was for Nipsey."

Russ dedicates his 20-20-20 game to the late Nipsey Hussle 🙏🏿

(via @okcthunder)pic.twitter.com/5X4Gymr8Q4

— Yahoo Sports NBA (@YahooSportsNBA) April 3, 2019

Chamberlain is the only other player to achieve the feat, getting 22 points, 25 rebounds and 21 assists on February 2, 1968, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

Westbrook clinched the stunning mark with a rebound in the final minute, drawing a large ovation from the home crowd.

It looked as if Westbrook’s chance at the mark passed by just before the decisive rebound, as the ball bounced off his fingertips and away. But at the other end, he grabbed a miss by Lance Stephenson.

Thunder coach Billy Donovan explained just how much Hussle’s death had impacted Westbrook and the rest of the team.

“I knew that he had a close friend pass away. He had mentioned and explained that to me,” Donovan said after Westbrook’s heroics.

“I think for a few guys on our team, relationship-wise, it’s kind of hit them pretty hard the last couple of days talking to them.

“For Russell that was something that really meant a lot to him. He basically talked to me a little bit about it at the end of the game.”

Social media lit up over Westbrook’s statline and Aussie basketball icon Andrew Gaze was in awe.

“I still can’t possibly comprehend how it can happen,” Gaze said on Macquarie Sports Radio.

Westbrook’s teammate Paul George added: “It’s just epic. Man, just the heart of that guy over there.”

Westbrook is not human; 20 points, 20 rebounds, 21 assists, this is not a typo.

— Sandro Rubin (@Insider6ix) April 3, 2019

Russell Westbrook is unreal man.

A 20/20/20 game for Nipsey Hussle.

That's unbelievable.

Amazing.

— Bobby Sessions (@bobbysessions) April 3, 2019

What’s Russ Westbrook did tonight 20pts-20rebs-20assists... Rollin 60s said it was for Nipsey Hussle.... that’s LEGENDARY...🙏🏾🙏🏾 #RIPNipsey 🕊

— Devin Sweetney (@DSweetney1) April 3, 2019

It was Westbrook’s 31st triple-double of the season and brought him to within three assists — assuming he plays in each of the last four games — of averaging a triple-double for the third consecutive season.

Westbrook had at least 15 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists for the eighth time in his career, tying Chamberlain for second-most all-time. Oscar Robertson had 14 such games in his career.

Oklahoma City had struggled in the first half recently, trailing in eight consecutive games entering Wednesday’s clash.

The Thunder, despite leading by as many as 11 points early, looked to be heading toward another halftime deficit when Kentavious Caldwell-Pope put the Lakers ahead with a three-pointer late in the second quarter.

But Oklahoma City closed the half with an 11-6 run and took a 59-55 lead into halftime.

Though Westbrook struggled from the field early — missing 12 of his first 14 shots — he was effective on the offensive end from the start, with 10 first-quarter assists.

Westbrook finished eight of 23 from the field as Oklahoma City won for the third time in its last 10 games.

Caldwell-Pope led the Lakers with 23 points.

The loss was Los Angeles’ second in the last six games despite playing with a roster missing its stars.

With AP