×

LeBron James Nabs Another NBA Milestone With Triple-Double In Lakers Win

Lakers coach JJ Redick said it was James's level of commitment after more than two decades in the league that continues to impress him the most.


LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 12: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers throws a no-look pass against the Dallas Mavericks in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on February 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Wally Skalij/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Wally SKALIJ / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

 

 

Superstar LeBron James nabbed another NBA record on Thursday, becoming at 41 the oldest player to record a triple-double as he propelled the Lakers to a 124-104 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

James, a four-time champion and the NBA’s all-time leading scorer now in his unprecedented 23rd season, scored a game-high 28 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and handed out 12 assists, pulling down his final rebound with just over two minutes remaining.

He overtook Karl Malone — who was 40 years, 127 days old when he recorded a triple-double for the Lakers in a win over San Antonio on November 28, 2003.

James’s feat comes three days before his 22nd All-Star Game appearance.

 

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 12: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers scores on a reverse layup against the Dallas Mavericks in the first half at Crypto.com Arena on February 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Wally Skalij/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Wally SKALIJ / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

 

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 12: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers smiles towards the Dallas Mavericks bench in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on February 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Wally Skalij/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Wally SKALIJ / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

 

Lakers coach JJ Redick said it was James’s level of commitment after more than two decades in the league that continues to impress him the most.

“I don’t take for granted how good he is,” Redick said. “I recognize that on a daily basis.

“The more remarkable thing is how much he cares in his 23rd year with all his accomplishments. He’s going to get another ‘oldest player to do X, Y, or Z.’

“He’s going to get another one of that. He is going to further cement his scoring record, he’s going to do all those things.

“It’s really just the day-to-day professionalism and care factor that he exhibits that is the most remarkable thing.”

With the Lakers again without NBA scoring leader Luka Doncic, James set an early tone with 14 first-quarter points and the Lakers bounced back from two straight defeats.

“The win, that’s the most important thing,” said James, who received a standing ovation when he was subbed out for son Bronny James, seconds after nabbing his 10th rebound.

 

 

LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 12: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers grabs the rebound to record a triple double during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on February 12, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler / NBAE / Getty Images / Getty Images via AFP)

 

Bucks silence Thunder

Elsewhere, Milwaukee’s Ousmane Dieng starred against his former team as the Bucks beat the NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder 110-93.

The game in Oklahoma City lost some star power with OKC’s reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missing a fifth straight contest with an abdominal strain and Milwaukee’s two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo sitting out a ninth straight game with a calf strain.

French forward Dieng, who landed in Milwaukee after being dealt by the Thunder before the trade deadline, scored 19 points with 11 rebounds, six assists and four blocked shots.

 

 

LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 12: Jaxson Hayes #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on February 12, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Adam Pantozzi / NBAE / Getty Images / Getty Images via AFP)

 

 

LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 12: Khris Middleton #20 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 12, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Adam Pantozzi / NBAE / Getty Images / Getty Images via AFP)

AJ Green added 17 points and Bobby Portis had 15 points and 12 rebounds off the bench for Milwaukee, who had seven players score in double figures.

The Thunder had won two straight since back-to-back losses to Western Conference rivals San Antonio and Houston.

But with Jalen Williams joining Gilgeous-Alexander on the sidelines with a hamstring strain, Oklahoma City trailed virtually all the way.

Guard Isaiah Joe scored 17 points and center Chet Holmgren added 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Thunder, who still take a Western Conference-leading record of 42-14 into the All-Star break.

They had more good news with the long-awaited NBA debut of Nikola Topic, who was diagnosed before the season with testicular cancer.

The 20-year-old Serbian was the 12th selection in the 2024 NBA draft, missing all of the 2024-25 campaign because of a knee injury.

 

LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 12: Jaxson Hayes #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on February 12, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Adam Pantozzi / NBAE / Getty Images / Getty Images via AFP)

 

LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 12: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on February 12, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Adam Pantozzi / NBAE / Getty Images / Getty Images via AFP)

 

 

Topic received a standing ovation when he entered the game in the first quarter and scored two points on one basket in 12:22 minutes of action.

“Just thrilled for him,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “He’s a young guy that all he wants to do is play basketball and that’s been taken from him a couple of different times. So for him to work himself to this point, get himself on the floor is a great accomplishment.”