What Is a Double-Double in Basketball?

A double-double in basketball is a performance in which a player reaches double figures in two statistical categories in the same game. The most common combination is at least 10 points and 10 rebounds, but points and assists, points and steals, or rebounds and blocks can also qualify.

For example, a player who finishes with 18 points and 12 rebounds has recorded a double-double. The player does not need exactly 10 in either category; any total of 10 or more counts.

How a basketball double-double is recorded

Official box scores usually track points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. A player records a double-double after reaching 10 or more in any two of these categories:

• Points and rebounds: 24 points and 11 rebounds
• Points and assists: 16 points and 10 assists
• Points and blocks: 21 points and 10 blocks
• Rebounds and assists: 13 rebounds and 10 assists
• Steals and another category: 10 steals and 12 points, although this is very unusual

Rebounds are generally divided into offensive and defensive rebounds, but the total rebound figure is used for double-double purposes. A player with eight points and 12 assists has not recorded a double-double because only one category has reached double figures.

Double-double examples and common combinations

The points-and-rebounds double-double is especially common among centers and power forwards because these players often score near the basket and compete for rebounds. A typical stat line might be 14 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, one steal, and two blocks.

Point guards are more likely to produce a points-and-assists double-double. A line of 22 points and 11 assists meets the definition even if the player collects few rebounds. Some defensive specialists record a rebounds-and-blocks or points-and-steals double-double, but these combinations occur less often.

Playing time, pace, shooting efficiency, and a team’s offensive style all affect the likelihood of reaching two statistical milestones. A starter who plays heavy minutes has more opportunities than a reserve who appears briefly, although strong production matters more than minutes alone.

Double-double versus triple-double

A triple-double requires double figures in three statistical categories in one game. For instance, 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists is a triple-double. Because three categories have reached at least 10, that performance also contains a double-double, but it is recorded and described as a triple-double.

A quadruple-double is even rarer and requires double figures in four categories. In modern basketball, the four categories normally considered are points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks.

Why double-doubles matter

A double-double shows that a player has made a significant contribution in more than one area. A high-scoring performance may help a team, but combining scoring with rebounding, playmaking, or defense often reflects a broader role.

The statistic is useful for describing individual games, season totals, and player consistency. It should not be treated as a complete measure of value, however. Shooting percentage, turnovers, defensive positioning, fouls, opponent quality, and the final result can provide important context that the double-double does not capture.

What does double-double mean in basketball betting?

In basketball betting, a double-double prop is a wager on whether a player will reach at least 10 in two specified statistical categories during a game. A market might ask whether a center will record 10 or more points and 10 or more rebounds.

Betting rules vary by sportsbook, particularly for postponed games, overtime, player participation, and statistical corrections. Anyone considering this type of wager should check the operator’s settlement rules rather than relying only on the player’s final box-score appearance.