LeBron James delivered another milestone performance Thursday night, recording 28 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 124-104 win over the Dallas Mavericks at Crypto.com Arena. The veteran forward became the oldest player in NBA history to post a triple-double at 41 years and 44 days.
The four-time champion surpassed the mark previously held by Karl Malone, who achieved a triple-double at age 40 years and 127 days. The latest performance came in his 23rd season.
Los Angeles built separation in the opening quarter when James scored 14 points, creating transition chances and half-court mismatches. He entered the fourth period with 22 points and 12 assists before securing his 10th rebound with just over two minutes remaining and checking out shortly after.
Rui Hachimura added 21 points on 9-for-13 shooting, while Austin Reaves contributed 18 points and six assists after returning from a one-game absence. The Lakers shot 56 percent from the field and held a 44-28 rebounding advantage, key factors in limiting second-chance opportunities for Dallas.
Without injured stars, the Mavericks struggled to generate consistent offense. Naji Marshall and Max Christie led the visitors with 19 points each, but the team connected on only 7 of 26 attempts from three-point range and committed 15 turnovers that fueled the Lakers’ transition attack.
Luka Doncic missed his fourth straight game for Los Angeles due to a mild hamstring strain, while Dallas rookie Cooper Flagg sat out with a sprained foot that will also keep him out of All-Star weekend. Head coach JJ Redick indicated the Slovenian guard is expected to return after the break, though his All-Star availability remains uncertain.
The victory moved Los Angeles to 33-21, keeping the club fifth in the Western Conference standings and within range of home-court positioning. Dallas fell to 19-35, extending its losing streak to nine games, the franchise’s longest skid in nearly three decades.
James, who earned his 22nd All-Star selection, last recorded a triple-double on Feb. 1, 2025. The Lakers return to action Feb. 20 against the LA Clippers, while the Mavericks will visit the Minnesota Timberwolves the same night as they attempt to end their slide.
