A quadruple double in the NBA is one of the rarest statistical feats—a single game where a player records double-digit totals in four of the five major categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. It’s the basketball equivalent of a perfect soufflé: incredibly difficult, requiring a unique blend of skill, opportunity, and stamina. This recipe breaks down the four official quadruple doubles in NBA history, with the ingredients being the players, the stats, and the game contexts that made them possible.
Ingredients
- 1 Nate Thurmond (Chicago Bulls, 1974) – 22 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists, 12 blocks
- 1 Alvin Robertson (San Antonio Spurs, 1986) – 20 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, 10 steals
- 1 Hakeem Olajuwon (Houston Rockets, 1990) – 18 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists, 11 blocks
- 1 David Robinson (San Antonio Spurs, 1994) – 34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, 10 blocks
- A pinch of historical context (the NBA officially began tracking blocks and steals in 1973–74)
- A dash of defensive intensity and all-around versatility
Instructions
- Start with the first official quadruple double (October 18, 1974): Nate Thurmond of the Chicago Bulls recorded 22 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists, and 12 blocks against the Atlanta Hawks. This was the inaugural season that blocks and steals were officially tracked, making Thurmond the pioneer of the feat. His performance came in a 120–115 Bulls victory.
- Add the only quadruple double with steals (February 18, 1986): Alvin Robertson of the San Antonio Spurs posted 20 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 steals against the Phoenix Suns. This remains the only quadruple double in NBA history to include steals rather than blocks. Robertson’s defensive prowess was on full display as the Spurs won 120–114.
- Mix in Hakeem Olajuwon’s near-perfect game (March 29, 1990): Hakeem Olajuwon of the Houston Rockets recorded 18 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists, and 11 blocks against the Milwaukee Bucks. Notably, Olajuwon also had 10 turnovers, which prevented a rare quadruple double with points, rebounds, assists, and turnovers (a feat never officially recognized). The Rockets won 120–94.
- Finish with David Robinson’s dominant performance (February 17, 1994): David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs tallied 34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 blocks against the Detroit Pistons. Robinson’s 34 points are the most in any quadruple double. The Spurs won 115–96.
- Let the stats settle: After these four games, no other player has officially reached a quadruple double. Some close calls include players like Draymond Green, who had 12 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 steals in 2017, but that game is not officially recognized because the NBA’s stat crew later determined one of the steals was misattributed.
Tips
- Understand the criteria: The NBA only recognizes quadruple doubles that include points, rebounds, assists, and either steals or blocks. Turnovers are not counted as a statistical category for this feat.
- Focus on defense: Four of the five quadruple doubles came with blocks, and one with steals. Elite rim protection or ball-hawking is essential to reach double digits in a defensive category.
- Context matters: The 1970s and 1980s had faster paces and more possessions, which made it easier to accumulate stats. Modern players face slower games and more sophisticated offensive schemes, making the feat even harder today.
- Don’t confuse with triple doubles: A triple double is common (e.g., Russell Westbrook has over 190), but quadruple doubles are extraordinarily rare. Only four exist in official NBA records.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this knowledge as a trivia centerpiece at a basketball watch party, or pair it with a deep dive into each player’s career highlights. For a full meal, combine with a discussion of the NBA’s official stat tracking changes in 1973–74, which made the feat possible. Garnish with the fact that no player has come closer than Draymond Green’s 2017 near-miss.
Variations
Five-by-five games: A related rarity is the 5×5, where a player records at least 5 in all five categories. Hakeem Olajuwon did this six times, the most in NBA history. Triple doubles with blocks: Some players like Tim Duncan and Anthony Davis have had triple doubles with blocks, but never reached the fourth category. Playoff quadruple doubles: None have ever occurred in the playoffs; the closest was Tim Duncan’s 2003 Finals near-miss with 21 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists, and 8 blocks.
Storage and Reheating
These historical performances are best stored in the NBA’s official record books, where they have remained fresh for decades. To revisit them, watch archived game footage on NBA Classic or YouTube—no reheating required. If you’re storing the stats in your memory, refresh them before trivia nights. They’ll keep indefinitely, but note that the NBA’s official recognition is final; unofficial variations (like the 2017 Draymond Green game) are best served with a disclaimer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are there only four official quadruple doubles? The NBA began tracking blocks and steals in 1973–74, so any earlier games cannot be verified. Since then, the combination of elite scoring, rebounding, passing, and defensive stats is exceedingly rare. Only four players have achieved it in the regular season.
Has anyone ever had a quadruple double with turnovers? No, turnovers are not considered a positive statistical category for this feat. Hakeem Olajuwon’s 1990 game had 10 turnovers, but that is not counted as a quadruple double because turnovers are not a recognized category in the same way as points, rebounds, assists, steals, or blocks.
What about Wilt Chamberlain’s alleged 1968 quadruple double? Wilt Chamberlain reportedly had a game with 22 points, 25 rebounds, 21 assists, and 22 blocks in 1968, but blocks were not officially recorded then. The NBA does not recognize it as an official quadruple double.
Could a player achieve a quadruple double today? It is possible but extremely unlikely due to slower pace and more specialized roles. Players like Nikola Jokić or Giannis Antetokounmpo have the all-around skills, but reaching double-digit blocks or steals in a single game is rare—most players average fewer than 2 per game.
What is the difference between a quadruple double and a 5×5? A quadruple double requires double digits in four categories, while a 5×5 requires at least 5 in all five categories. A 5×5 is more common; Hakeem Olajuwon holds the record with six. A quadruple double is a higher bar because it demands double digits in four categories.
Are there any quadruple doubles in the WNBA or college? In the WNBA, no quadruple double has been recorded. In college basketball, the NCAA recognizes several, including one by Lester Hudson of Tennessee-Martin in 2007. However, the NBA’s official list remains at four.
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