Elfrid Payton Records Fifth Consecutive Triple-Double as Pelicans Beat Mavs

Elfrid Payton recorded his fifth consecutive triple-double as the visiting New Orleans Pelicans beat the Dallas Mavericks in overtime on Monday night.

The Pelicans managed to snap a six-game losing streak on a night where Dirk Nowitzki passed Wilt Chamberlain for sixth place on the NBA's career scoring list and Mavs rookie Luka Doncic turned in a triple-double of his own with 29 points, 13 rebounds and 10 dimes.

Pelicans forward Julius Randle scored a game-high 30 points in the victory.

Payton logged 19 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in the 129-125 win. He is the fifth player in NBA history to post five straight triple-doubles. Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook have also accomplished this feat.

Elfrid Payton has become just the 5th player in NBA history to record a triple-double in 5 consecutive games.

Russell Westbrook set the NBA record earlier this season with an 11-game streak.

h/t @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/jdLyMuQ2Kj

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 19, 2019

Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry praised Payton for his recent stretch of dominance.

"To be a point guard and be able to come up with double-digit rebounds night after night after night, that is really tough to do," Gentry said. "Any time they mention you in the same breath as Westbrook, you have to feel really good about it. If they mention you in the same breath as Oscar Robertson, that is another whole area."

Payton will look to register his sixth consecutive triple-double on Wednesday night in a road tilt against the Orlando Magic. The 25-year-old Payton spent the first 3.5 seasons of his career with the Magic before it traded him to the Phoenix Suns at the 2018 NBA trade deadline. He played just 19 games for the Suns, before signing with the Pelicans in free agency this summer.

Pelicans Lose Davis to Injury, Beat Thunder

Anthony Davis left Thursday night’s home contest versus the Oklahoma City Thunder with a left shoulder injury, but the New Orleans Pelicans managed to secure an upset win.

Without Davis, forward Julius Randle and guard Jrue Holiday led the way. Randle finished with 33 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, while Holiday had 32 points, five rebounds and seven assists in the 131-122 victory. Holiday defended Thunder All-Star forward Paul George and held him to 11-of-29 shooting—including 3-of-17 from three-point territory. George scored 28 points with seven rebounds, six assists, one blocked shot and one steal.

Davis exited the Smoothie King Center with his agent, Rich Paul, in the second half. MRI results revealed the All-Star suffered a muscle contusion but "nothing too bad," according to ESPN. Davis will get treatment on the shoulder over the next few days. He will see how he feels before deciding whether he can play in Sunday’s All-Star Game in Charlotte.

Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry had no interest in discussing Davis—who publicly requested a trade but was ultimately not dealt before the NBA’s trade deadline—and shifted his focus on his players who carried the team to a victory.

"I'm gonna talk about the guys that play," Gentry said. "They did a great job. We found a way to win the game. That's what's important."

Gentry lauded his players for stepping up and winning a game against one of the best teams in the Western Conference, in spite of all the drama surrounding his squad.

"I'm happy for all of them," Gentry said. "Because to tell you the truth, this whole thing has been a dumpster fire. We want guys to be professional and we want them to do this, but it's hard for guys to go through what they've been through. And to be able to come out and beat a team of that quality, I'm happy for all the guys. I just thought they did a great job."

Thunder guard Russell Westbrook accomplished two incredible feats in the defeat. He increased his triple-double streak to 11 games—an NBA record—by scoring 44 points, grabbing 14 rebounds and dishing out 11 assists. Despite the loss, Oklahoma City is 9-2 during Westbrook’s streak. In addition to increasing his triple-double streak, Westbrook became the all-time leading scorer in Sonics/Thunder franchise history. He surpassed Gary Payton (18,207 points) and now has accumulated 18,247 points in his storied career.

NBA MVP Race: James Harden the Heavy Favorite; Davis Enters Conversation

1. James Harden, Houston Rockets

Harden leads the NBA in scoring (31.0 ppg) and player efficiency rating (30.62) and ranks third in assists per contest (8.9). All the meanwhile, the Houston Rockets are on a 16-game win streak and maintain the NBA’s best record. Further evidence of Houston’s dominance?—the Rockets are 33-1 when Harden, Chris Paul and Clint Capela suit up.

James Harden and the Rockets have a realistic shot to win the NBA title. (Tom Gutierrez/AP)

2. Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans

Behind the brilliance of Davis, the Pelicans have won nine consecutive games and vaulted to fourth-place in the Western Conference standings—all without DeMarcus Cousins, who was lost for the season to an Achilles injury. For the month of February, Davis ranked first in scoring, second in steals, third in rebounding and third in blocks. According to NBA.com, he is the first player to finish top-3 in the aforementioned marks since 1973-74—the season steals and blocks became official statistics.

During the current nine game winning streak Anthony Davis is averaging

37.7 points
14.6 rebounds
3.0 steals
2.8 blocks
53.2% FG%
41.9% 3PT% (NOT A MISPRINT)
61.8% TS%
33.2% USG%

— The Bird WWWWWWWWWrites (@thebirdwrites) March 7, 2018

3. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

James looked like the early favorite to win MVP through the first two months of the season, but now Harden is by far and away the leader of the race. The Cavs have struggled since the calendar flipped to January, hurting James’ chances to capture his fifth MVP trophy. Even so he has been great in the absence of Kevin Love and the departure of failed experiment Isaiah Thomas, averaging a triple-double for the month of February.

Congratulations to @KingJames – the Eastern Conference #KiaPOTM for the seventh February in a row!

For the first time in his career, LeBron averaged a triple-double for the month with 27.0 PPG, 10.5 RPG and 10.5 APG.

DETAILS → https://t.co/m5X26947UA pic.twitter.com/6i1ZeJbvlp

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) March 1, 2018

4. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

The Blazers are riding an eight-game win streak, thanks in large part to Lillard. In the eight victories, Lillard has posted per-game averages of 32.6 points, 6.4 assists and 4.4 rebounds. As clutch as they come, Lillard is shooting 46.1% from the field in that span and Portland now has the third-best record in the West and the fifth-best mark in the NBA.

5. Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors

Durant won’t win MVP as long he is a member of the Warriors (unless Stephen Curry goes down with a long-term injury), but he can remain in the conversation because of his stellar play. Durant is averaging 25.9 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.4 assists with a 25.56 player efficiency rating. He is the driving force of the Warriors (50-14), who trail the Rockets by a half-game for the best record in the NBA.

Next in Line

6. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

7. Kyrie Irving, Boston Celtics

8. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

9. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

10. DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors

NBA Player Rank 2014: Nos. 10-1

10. Stephen Curry (PG) - Golden State Warriors

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 24.0

REB 4.3

ASST 8.5

FG% 47.1

Curry recorded career-highs in points and assists in 2013-2014, earning him a spot on the All-NBA Second Team. He became the first Warriors player to earn second team All-NBA honors since Latrell Sprewell in 1993-94. Curry knocked down 261 three-pointers, leading the NBA in that accolade for the second consecutive year. He had four triple-doubles this season, tied for second in the league with Joakim Noah and trailing only Lance Stephenson, who recorded five.


9. Dwight Howard (C) – Houston Rockets

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 18.3

REB 12.2

ASST 1.8

FG% 59.1

In the center's first season in Houston, Howard finished in the top-five in rebounds (fourth), double-doubles (tied for fourth with 57) and field goal percentage (third). He made his seventh All-NBA Team, this time earning second team honors. Howard was a dominant force in the postseason--despite the Rockets bowing out to the Trail Blazers in the first-round--averaging 26.0 points and 13.7 rebounds.


8. Paul George (SF) – Indiana Pacers

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 21.7

REB 6.8

ASST 3.5

FG% 42.4

A year after winning the NBA's Most Improved Player award, George was named to the All-NBA Third Team. George's contract included the "Rose Provision," which allows for a bonus in maximum contracts if the player wins the MVP, starts two All-Star games, or in his case, is named to two All-NBA teams (he was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2012-2013 as well). George cashed in on $7 million as a result of the provision in a season that saw him average 21.7 points, 6.8 boards, and 1.9 steals in 36 minutes per game. In the Pacers' run to the Eastern Conference Finals, George recorded 22.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per contest.

7. Russell Westbrook (PG) – Oklahoma City Thunder

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 21.8

REB 5.7

ASST 6.9

FG% 43.7

Failing to make an All-NBA Team for the first time in four years as a result of 36 games missed due to injury, Westbrook still had another stellar season as the emotional torchbearer for the Thunder. His finest moment of the regular season came in a victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, when he tallied a triple-double in a mere 20 minutes of play (second fastest triple-double in NBA history). He averaged 26.7 points, 8.1 assists, 7.3 rebounds and 2.2 steals during the 19 playoff games the Thunder played this postseason. Westbrook, who recorded a career-high 1.9 steals during the regular season, has said he plans to spend the bulk of his summer refining his defensive skills. 

6. Blake Griffin (PF) – Los Angeles Clippers

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 24.1

REB 9.5

ASST 3.9

FG% 52.8

The fourth-year forward had his best season as a pro in 2013-2014, leading the Clippers in scoring (career-best 24.1 ppg) as he shot 52.8 percent from the field and a career-best 71.5 percent from the free-throw line. Griffin was able to improve his jumper immensely--the Achilles heel in his game--to become a more versatile scorer. His defensive interior presence was felt this season, likewise his usual dunk theatrics on the offensive end. Griffin finished third in MVP voting and was named to the All-NBA Second Team for the third straight year.

5. Kevin Love (PF) - Minnesota Timberwolves

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 26.1

REB 12.5

ASST 4.4

FG% 45.7

Love, by far the biggest name on the trade market, led the NBA with 65 double-doubles this season while averaging 26.1 points and 12.5 assists in 36 minutes per game. Love was named to the All-NBA Second Team, the second time he has earned these honors in the past three years. He also set Timberwolves franchise records for three-pointers made (190) and free throws made (520) in a season. Love posted otherworldly numbers in the month of February (34.1 ppg, 14.1 rpg), becoming the first player since Moses Malone in 1982 to average at least 34 points and 14 rebounds over an entire month. Love finished third in PER, fourth in win shares, sixth in wins against replacement, fifth in true shooting percentage and posted the best assist rate among all power forwards in 2013-2014.


4. LaMarcus Aldridge (PF/C) - Portland Trail Blazers

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 23.2

REB 11.1

ASST 2.6

FG% 45.8

Aldridge earned his second All-NBA Third Team honors this season, posting career-highs in points (eight-most in NBA) and rebounds (seventh-most in league). He shot a career-best 82.2 percent from the free-throw line. Aldridge cemented his status as the best power forward in the NBA in the eyes of many with his heroics in the first-round of the playoffs versus Houston, putting together consecutive 40-point games as he led the Trail Blazers to the Conference Semifinals for the first time in 14 years.


3. Chris Paul (PG) - Los Angeles Clippers

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 19.1

REB 4.3

ASST 10.7

FG% 46.

Paul was named to the All-NBA First Team for the fourth time in his career, leading the league with 10.7 assists and 2.48 steals per game this season. Undoubtedly the best point guard in the league, Paul steered the Clippers to a franchise-best 57 wins this season, reaching the 6,000 career-assist milestone in the process. 


2. Kevin Durant (SF) - Oklahoma City Thunder

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 32.0

REB 7.4

ASST 5.5

FG% 50.3

Durant won the MVP award in 2013-14, notching his fourth scoring title of his career in the process. He averaged career-highs in points (32.0) and assists per game (5.5), as well as posting 7.4 rebounds per contest. Durant had a streak of 41-straight games with 25 or more points scored. He was named to his fifth consecutive All-NBA First Team.  Durant shot 50 percent from the field and 39 percent from behind the arc. He also had two 50-point games and 14 40-point contests. 


1. LeBron James (SF) - Miami Heat

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 27.1

REB 6.9

ASST 6.4

FG% 56.7

The four-time MVP and two-time Finals MVP shot a carer-high 56.7 percent from the field in 2013-14. James was named to the All-NBA First Team for the eighth time in his career. He also got a spot on the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. The highlight of his regular season came when he scored a career-high and Heat franchise-record 61 points in a March win versus the Charlotte Bobcats. James guided the Heat to their fourth consecutive Finals this season.