Philadelphia 76ers point guard Markelle Fultz had 13 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in Wednesday’s win over the Milwaukee Bucks and became the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double.
At 19 years and 317 days old, Fultz broke the record previously held by Los Angeles Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball, who was 20 years and 15 days when he notched a triple-double, coincidentally, also against Bucks. Fultz was taken No. 1 overall, just ahead of Ball, in the 2017 NBA Draft.
When Ball had 19 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists, he took over the honor as youngest NBA player with a triple-double from Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star LeBron James, who was 20 years and 20 days at the time of accomplishing the feat.
Fultz’s performance helped the 76ers clinch the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, setting a first-round matchup in the playoffs against the Miami Heat.
While Ball and Fultz can each lay some claim to the record, their rookie seasons finished on dramatically different trajectories. Fultz played in four games before a shoulder injury sidelined him for the next 68.
Meanwhile, Ball battled multiple injuries throughout his debut campaign but still proved to be effective when on the court. However, he missed 30 of the last 51 games to close out the season, including eight in a row to end the year.
Ball nonetheless led the Lakers 7.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game, and was second on the team with 6.9 rebounds.
