Historic Achievement
In a historic performance, LeBron James etched his name into the NBA record books by becoming the oldest player to achieve a triple-double. This milestone occurred during a game on Thursday night, where the Los Angeles Lakers triumphed over the Dallas Mavericks with a score of 124-104. At 41 years and 44 days old, James surpassed the previous record holder, Karl Malone, who accomplished this at the age of 40 years and 127 days while playing for the Lakers in 2003.
Standout Performance
James delivered a standout performance, finishing the night with 28 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds. He secured his 10th rebound with just over two minutes remaining, marking the completion of his 123rd career triple-double, placing him fifth on the all-time list. The crowd erupted in applause as he exited the game shortly after achieving this feat.
Significant Context
Interestingly, James’ last triple-double occurred on February 1, 2025, in a game against the New York Knicks, a date that is now also remembered for a major trade that brought Luka Doncic to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis.
Prior to this game, James had been close to breaking Malone’s long-held record several times but had not been able to reach it until now. After missing a game against San Antonio earlier in the week, he came out strong against the Mavericks, especially in the absence of Doncic, who was sidelined due to a mild hamstring strain.
Game Highlights
In the first quarter alone, James scored 14 points and dished out six assists, adding to his total of 18 points, eight assists, and four rebounds by halftime. He continued to contribute significantly in the third quarter, reaching double digits in assists, and played the entire final quarter, culminating with his record-setting rebound.
Season Overview
This weekend marks James’s 22nd All-Star game appearance, though he has faced challenges this season, missing 18 games due to injuries, making him ineligible for the All-NBA team. His current averages for the season stand at 21.8 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds as he and the Lakers remain competitive in the Western Conference playoff chase.
It’s worth mentioning that James missed the first 14 games of the season due to sciatica, which has impacted the Lakers’ lineup dynamics, as some key players have struggled to stay healthy together.
