Domantas Sabonis breaks Kevin Love's NBA double-double record for longest streak
Domantas Sabonis recorded his 54th consecutive double-double on Monday during the Philadelphia 76ers-Sacramento Kings game. Sabonis has broken the record for the most consecutive double-doubles since the NBA-ABA merger. Miami Heat forward Kevin Love held the record before Sabonis.
Sabonis achieved the feat shortly after the third quarter began. In 27 minutes, he has 11 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists on 3 of 5 shooting.
The Kings center has been on fire this season, averaging 20.0 points, 13.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists. Sabonis is shooting at an efficient clip of 60.8%, including 40.8% from 3-point range.
Sacramento is in contention to make the playoffs for a second straight season behind Sabonis' heroics. It is seventh in the West with a 41-29 record, likely to improve to 42-29 after Monday's game.
Kings pay fitting tribute to Domantas Sabonis after breaking Kevin Love's double-double streak record
The Kings showered tremendous love and support on Domantas Sabonis for his record-breaking night. The Kings fans at Golden 1 Center broke out the famous "Domantas Sabonis" chants in sync with the "Seven Nation Army" song once he broke the record.
Shortly after, the Kings paid tribute to Sabonis with a video on the jumbotron, including video messages from owner Vivek Ranadive and coach Mike Brown.
Here's the clip of how the Kings celebrated Sabonis:
Sabonis has been key to the franchise's turnaround from a lottery team to a perennial playoff contender. The Kings broke their 16-year playoff draught in Sabonis' first full season last year. It was one of the best trades in the NBA in a long time, considering the impact on Sacramento's fortunes and Sabonis' fit next to De'Aaron Fox.
Domantas Sabonis could pass Oscar Robertson's record at this rate
Sabonis has been unstoppable with his double-double streak. He now trails Oscar Robertson (79 consecutive double-doubles) and Wilt Chamberlain (227 consecutive double-doubles) for most consecutive double-doubles in NBA history before the NBA-ABA merger.
Roberton's record seems gettable for the All-Star forward at the rate he's going. He would be 25 games away from it after Monday's contest and potentially 14 games after this season if he plays all 11 games left in the regular season and records a double-double in every game.