The Wizards faced Magic guard Victor Oladipo on Monday night. Earlier this season they got a look at 76ers phenom Michael Carter-Williams, twice.
On Tuesday, the two rookies squared off and combined for a feat never seen before in the NBA.
After scoring 13 points in Orlando’s 98-90 loss at the Verizon Center, Oladipo went for 26 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists versus the 76ers.
Carter-Williams, the heavy favorite for NBA Rookie of the Year, had his own triple-double with 27 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the guards are the first pair of rookies in NBA history to each record a triple-double in the same game.
Whoa.
Alas for Oladipo and the Magic, neither a triple-double nor a career-high 43 points from Arron Afflalo or 33 from Glen Davis was enough to end their losing skid. Orlando lost 126-125 in overtime, its third straight setback and seventh in nine games.
It also marks the latest victory for Carter-Williams over Oladipo. Last March and also at the Verizon Center, Carter-Williams led Syracuse to an upset win over Oladipo and No. 1 seed Indiana in the East Regional semifinals.
The DeMatha product referenced the loss in his final college game after losing the first NBA game he played back in his hometown.
“Only thing is, I’m tired of coming to DC and losing. Jeez,” Oladipo said Monday night before reflecting on the whole back-at-home thing.
“But it’s fun to be able to play in front of my friends in family,” the Upper Marlboro native said. “I’ve come a long way. Went to school not too far from here, to elementary school down the street from here, to be able to say I’ve played on elite levels is just an amazing feeling. Like I tell you all the time, I would have been the last person people thought would have been here. So I’m just blessed and fortunate.”
As for the Tuesday night duel, not surprisingly ProBasketballTalk handed “A” grades for both players and it was for way more than just effort. On Oladipo:
Before you go and hand that Rookie of the Year trophy to MCW in Philly, Oladipo would like to have a word with you. The reason Orlando was in this game was the rookie’s first ever triple double with 26 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. (To be fair, Arron Afflalo’s 43 points had a lot to do with Orlando’s game too, he was special.) Oladipo had a bit of a rough start to the season turning the ball over too much, but coach Jacque Vaughn has let the rookie learn from his mistakes and lately we’re starting to see the benefits of that. He’s looked good of late.
(h/t ESPN Stats and Info)
Please read our comment policy before commenting.