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WNBA Triple-double
Krishna Shukla

Top 10 Most Triple-Doubles Leaders of All Time 

Triple-double is very much in demand in basketball as it demonstrates the multifunctional skills of a player and the influence of getting up in the game. This is a statistical achievement that displays the all-around ability of the athlete, making double-digit numbers in points, rebounds and assists. A triple-double in the WNBA remains challenging, which reflects high-skill execution.

In the article ahead, we will discuss which of the top players in the WNBA are known to achieve triple-doubles to highlight their extraordinary records as well as the impact such an achievement makes on the sport.

What is a Triple-Double? Breaking Down the Stat

A triple-double shows a player scoring at least ten units in three separate categories during a game. The usual mix includes points, rebounds, and assists, but players can also achieve this milestone with statistics like steals or blocks. What’s significant about the triple-double is the demonstration of versatility it gives a player, as it could show expertise in scoring, play creation, and defense. Typically, triple-doubles earned daily make an athlete class one in the sports and a powerhouse in the game.

For instance, some athlete finishes a game with 25 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists; hence, this is a triple-double. Actually, it not only portrays their personal greatness but also presents strength in inspiring the team that should help win the game.++

Achieving a triple-double in the WNBA is a challenging feat due to the competitive nature of games and the abundance of talent. A blend of skill, determination, and favorable factors like team dynamics and pace is necessary. While looking at the WNBA triple-double leaders, we will observe how these players have perfected the triple-double, cementing their impact in the league.

WNBA Triple-Double Leaders: All-Time Rankings

Here’s a look at the WNBA’s all-time leaders in triple-doubles, showcasing the players who have excelled in this statistical category:

PlayerTeamPointsReboundsAssistsTriple Doubles
Alyssa ThomasConnecticut Sun10.68.47.915
Sabrina IonescuNew York Liberty16.35.76.04
Candace ParkerLos Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky16.08.54.03
Caitlin ClarkIndiana Fever19.25.78.42
Chelsea GrayLos Angeles Sparks, Las Vegas Aces12.03.15.02
Courtney WilliamsChicago Sky12.05.33.82
Courtney VanderslootChicago Sky, New York Liberty103.26.62
Sheryl SwoopesHouston Comets15.14.93.22
Lisa LeslieLos Angeles Sparks17.39.12.41
Margo DydekSan Antonio Silver Stars9.96.51.61
WNBA Triple-Double Leaders

Alyssa Thomas – Connecticut Sun

WNBA Triple-double
Alyssa Thomas during 2024 WNBA playoff- Getty Images

Alyssa Thomas has been a pioneer in the triple-double world, leading the WNBA with her 15 triple-double count. Nicknamed “Point Forward,” Thomas is probably among the most versatile players ever in the WNBA. She possesses a unique gift for a forward in handling the ball and running offense, and her triple-doubles dramatically reflect this all-around contribution.

Also Read: 10 Best WNBA Dunks of All Time

Sabrina Ionescu – New York Liberty

WNBA Triple-double
Sabrina Ionescu during the 2024 WNBA Finals- Getty Images

A new face of triple-doubles in the WNBA, Ionescu is very quickly turning out to be one of the most diverse players in the league’s history. Her three-year stint at Oregon, during which she tallied up an NCAA-record 26 triple-doubles, told a lot about what was to come. She became the first player to have ever recorded a 30-point triple-double in WNBA history.

Without a doubt, Sabrina Ionescu is considered one of the rising stars in the league. The player chosen as the top pick in 2020 has already made it to three All-Star teams and has developed into a talent capable of winning an MVP award. Ionesco’s standout accomplishment in her early career was her 2022 season, where she made history by achieving two triple-doubles, putting her in a selected group of women in the WNBA. She currently has a total of four triple-doubles, with two of them being the most recent. Altogether, she has four, with one recorded in 2021 and another in 2023.

Candace Parker – Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky

WNBA Triple-double
Candace Parker during the 2023 Finals practice- Getty Images

A generational talent, the triple-doubles of Parker reflect her full game. Her first came in 2017, and she added two more to her career resume with examples of her exceptional passing ability for a frontcourt player. Parker’s versatility as a 6’4″ forward who can handle the ball like a guard makes her a formidable force on the court.

In 2022, in the second-to-last season, she also achieved several triple-doubles. That evening, she documented two out of the three she had in her profession. Another one of her songs was recorded in 2017.

Caitlin Clark – Indiana Fever

WNBA Triple-double
Caitlin Clark- Getty Images

While discussing the players with generational talent and triple-double achievement, it’s impossible to ignore the rookie sensation Caitlin Clark who made a lasting impact during her first season. She got two triple-doubles in her debut WNBA season, which got her the record for most triple-doubles by a rookie in WNBA history.

Her initial was against New York Liberty on July 6, with a score of 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. She however only went that far and dished out another triple-double against Los Angeles Sparks with 24 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds. .Clark’s second triple-double came on September 4, 2024. Her beyond-the-arc shot percentage was 40% all this time. Even after one season in the league, she is yet another triple-double shy of equalling up with Candace Parker’s record.

Chelsea Gray – Los Angeles Sparks, Las Vegas Aces

WNBA Triple-double
Chelsea Gray- Getty Images

“The Point Gawd” has certainly emerged as one of the league’s most dynamic playmakers. The triple-double she put up during an extraordinary 2023 season by the Aces was a classic illustration of how she could dominate the game from the point guard position. She recorded her first triple-double on July 7, 2019, while representing the LA Sparks in the WNBA.

Her second and last triple-double record came for the LA Aces, dishing out 22 points, 11 boards, and 11 assists.

Courtney Williams – Chicago Sky

WNBA Triple-double
Courtney Williams- Getty Images

Courtney Williams is better described as a journeywoman rather than a key player, as she has already been a part of five different teams in nine seasons. She has the ability to excel in all areas of the game, as shown by being one of the rare players to achieve multiple triple-doubles in a single season.

Williams achieved this accomplishment in 2023 by achieving two. She played her first game against the LA Sparks and recorded 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists. In her team’s final regular season game that year, she scored 23 points, grabbed 16 rebounds, and dished out 13 assists.

Courtney Vandersloot – Chicago Sky, New York Liberty

WNBA Triple-double
Courtney Vandersloot- Getty Images

Vandersloot is best known for her skills as a point guard who prioritizes passing, but her triple-doubles show that she can make a significant impact in ways other than just ball distribution. Her ability to see the court and her understanding of basketball have established her as one of the most dependable leaders on the court in WNBA history.

She recorded her first triple-double on July 20, 2018, dishing out 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 15 assists. The second one came after three years in 2021 on September 28, recording 12 points, 10 boards, and 18 assists.

Also Read: Most Assists in a Single WNBA Game

Sheryl Swoopes – Houston Comets

WNBA Triple-double
Sheryl Swoopes- Getty Images

Swoopes was a trailblazer for women’s basketball, as she scored the first triple-double in the history of the WNBA back in 1999. She was a threat every night to dominate several categories on the stat sheet due to her athletic skill and defensive strength. She dished out 14 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists that night. Her achievements cleared the path for future generations.

Swoopes came up with another triple-double in the WNBA on September 3, 2005, with 14 points, 10 boards, and 10 assists.

Lisa Leslie – Los Angeles Sparks

WNBA Triple-double
Lisa Leslie- Getty Images

Leslie, in particular, had a memorable triple-double wherein she scored three points from blocks instead of assists, a true manifestation of her worth on defense. Indeed, being the first to dunk in a WNBA game gave her a more well-rounded reputation as one of the most well-rounded centers in basketball history. She achieved it on September 9, 2004, for the Los Angeles Sparks, recording 29 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 blocks.

It was the triple-double record with the most points till Sabrina broke it in 2022 with her triple-double.

Also Read: 10 Hottest WNBA Players 2024: Beauty Meets Talent

Margo Dydek – San Antonio Silver Stars

WNBA Triple-double
Margo Dydek- Getty Images

Standing at 7’2″, Dydek utilized this towering height to register something of a one-of-its-kind triple-double in terms of blocks. She has established in the process her defensive skills and paint presence. She achieved the marvelous feat while playing for the Utah Starzz on June 7, 2001, recording 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 blocks.

She is one of those pioneering players in the WNBA who have scored triple-doubles through blocks, not assists.

FAQs

Who holds the record for the most triple-doubles in WNBA history?

Alyssa Thomas holds the record for the most triple-doubles in WNBA history with 15 counts.

How many players have recorded multiple triple-doubles in the WNBA?

Eight players have recorded multiple triple-doubles in the WNBA viz Ionescu, Thomas, Parker, Clark, Chelsea Gray, Courtney Williams, Vandersloot, and Swoopes.

What constitutes a triple-double in basketball?

A triple-double happens when a player achieves double figures in points, rebounds, and assists during one game. 

How many total triple-doubles have been recorded in WNBA history?

A grand total of 42 triple-doubles have been recorded in the history of the WNBA, with 36 occurring in the regular season and 6 in the postseason.