Rockets history: Olajuwon posts triple-double with no turnovers

Although Houston Rockets legend Hakeem Olajuwon is viewed as one of the best players in NBA history, not many know he was a triple-double machine.

It’s well known that Hakeem Olajuwon is the greatest Houston Rockets player of all time, as he led the Rockets to two consecutive NBA titles. Olajuwon was also able to get a triple-double whenever he wanted to, and even nearly posted the rare quadruple-double feat twice in the same calendar month.

When the Houston Rockets faced the Golden State Warriors on April 7th of the 1993-94 season, Olajuwon put on yet another legendary performance, and the game ultimately wasn’t even close, as the Rockets led 58-46 at the half. All in all, the Rockets won 134-102, as their entire starting five scored in double figures.

The Rockets had a total of six players who finished with 10+ points, but the performance of the day went to Hakeem Olajuwon. The Dream had game-highs in points (26), rebounds (13), assists (10), steals (5), and blocks (4), which is simply amazing, as he finished with a triple-double.

Although the main headline from that game was his triple-double, what’s equally impressive is how he had 10 assists and zero turnovers in 37 minutes of action, which made him the only starter to not commit a single turnover. This is something we don’t often see, especially in today’s league.

This was The Dream’s only triple-double of the season, although he posted a career-high in assists that year (3.6). Olajuwon finished the season with 27.3 points and 11.9 rebounds per game, which was third and fourth-best in the league that year. Dream also averaged 3.7 blocks per game, which was second to only Dikembe Mutombo.

Olajuwon also finished third in player efficiency, as he had a PER of 25.3, en route to being named league MVP, while also nabbing his second consecutive Defensive Player of the Year award. The Rockets also finished with a 58-24 record, while also winning their first ever NBA title, which was saved by Vernon Maxwell‘s heroics.

Dream was also awarded Finals MVP and had many dominant performances that season, but one of his best performances arguably came on April 7th.