NBA Playoffs: Ricky Rubio’s Triple-Double Powers Utah past OKC, Jazz Take 2-1 Series Lead

Utah-Jazz-Ricky-Rubio-Triple-Double-Game-3-2018

Ricky Rubio put on a show.

The former No. 5 pick in the 2009 NBA Draft had a huge night as the veteran point guard went off for 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the Utah Jazz to a 115-102 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder Saturday night at Vivint Arena.

With the victory, the Jazz took a 2-1 playoff series lead heading into the Game 4 showdown Monday night.


No. 4 Oklahoma City Thunder (48-34) vs. No. 5 Utah Jazz (48-34)
Playoff series schedule

Game 1 in OKC: Thunder 116, Jazz 108
Game 2 in OKC: Jazz 102, Thunder 95
Game 3 in Utah: Jazz 115, Thunder 102
Game 4 in Utah: Monday, April 23, 8:30 p.m., MT, TNT
Game 5 in OKC: Wednesday, April 25, 7:30 p.m., MT NBA TV
Game 6 in Utah: Friday, April 27, TBA (if necessary)
Game 7 in OKC: Sunday, April 29, TBA (if necessary)


Rubio’s triple-double was also Utah’s first in 17 years. The last Jazz player in the postseason to do so was John Stockton against Dallas in the 2001 playoffs. The Hall-of-Famer was also in attendance as the sold-out crowd stood on their feet for nearly the entire game.

“It’s electric. This is the loudest the stadium has been all season,” said Donovan Mitchell.

The rookie sensation chipped in with 22 points and 11 rebounds, Joe Ingles added 21 points and hit a game-high five 3-pointers in the win. All five of Utah’s starters were in double figures with Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors chipping in with 18 and 11 points respectively. Gobert finished with a double-double with 12 rebounds.

Paul George scored a team-high 23 points for the Thunder. Russell Westbrook just missed out on a triple-double with 14 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists, however, the All-Star point guard didn’t have as much impact on the game as the stats indicate as disappeared in the second half once again. Carmelo Anthony chipped in with 14 points and so did Raymond Felton who knocked down four 3-pointers.

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