The short version: A triple-double is when a player records double digits (10 or more) in three of the five major statistical categories in a single game — almost always points, rebounds, and assists. It's a benchmark of all-around impact: it means a player filled the box score in three different ways, not just scored.
Key takeaways
- A triple-double = 10+ in three categories (points, rebounds, assists, steals, or blocks) in one game.
- The most common combination is points, rebounds, and assists; steals- or blocks-based triple-doubles are rare.
- It's a measure of versatility and all-around impact — the mark of a player who affects the game in multiple ways.
What counts as a triple-double?
The five "counting" stats are points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. Reach 10 or more in any three of them in the same game and you've recorded a triple-double. The overwhelming majority are points-rebounds-assists, because those are the three categories a star touches most often. A "five-by-five" — 5+ in all five categories — is even rarer and prized for the same reason.
Why it matters
Scoring 30 points is great, but a triple-double signals something different: a player who rebounded, created for teammates, and scored. It's shorthand for all-around dominance and unselfishness, which is why it's one of basketball's most celebrated single-game feats.
Double-double, quadruple-double, and beyond
A double-double is 10+ in two categories (very common for bigs: points and rebounds). A quadruple-double — 10+ in four — is extraordinarily rare, recorded only a handful of times in NBA history. A theoretical quintuple-double (all five) has never officially happened in the NBA.
Frequently asked questions
Do points, rebounds, and assists have to be the three categories?
No — any three of the five (points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks) count. But points-rebounds-assists is by far the most common because stars accumulate those stats most easily.
What's the difference between a double-double and a triple-double?
A double-double is double digits in two categories; a triple-double is double digits in three. The triple-double is significantly harder and rarer.
Has anyone ever had a quadruple-double?
Yes, but only a few times in NBA history — it requires 10+ in four categories, usually leaning on steals or blocks, which is exceptionally hard to reach.
Become a more complete player
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More definitions in our Glossary & Rules.