By ASSOCIATED PRESS
LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James became the oldest player in NBA history with a triple-double when he put up 28 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 124-104 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night, Feb. 12.
At 41 years and 44 days old, James broke the record held by Karl Malone, who recorded a triple-double for the Lakers when he was 40 years and 127 days old.
James scored 14 points in a dominant first quarter, and had 22 points and 12 assists heading to the fourth. He grabbed his 10th rebound with 2:06 to play and checked out moments later, wrapping up another sensational game in his unprecedented 23rd NBA season.
James is headed to the All-Star Game this weekend after being selected for the 22nd time. He got his most recent triple-double on Feb. 1, 2025.
Naji Marshall and Max Christie scored 19 points apiece for the Mavericks, who lost their ninth straight to fall into their longest skid in 28 seasons.
NBA scoring leader Luka Doncic didn’t suit up against his former team, missing his fourth straight game for the Lakers with a mild hamstring strain. Star rookie Cooper Flagg sat out with a sprained foot for Dallas that will prevent him from participating in All-Star weekend at nearby Intuit Dome.
James and Austin Reaves sat out the Lakers’ loss to San Antonio on Tuesday for health maintenance, but both returned in a comfortable victory. Reaves had 18 points and six assists.
Rui Hachimura scored 21 points for the Lakers, who have won seven of 11.
Lakers coach JJ Redick said he expects Doncic to return after the All-Star break. Redick didn’t know whether the Slovenian superstar will play in the All-Star Game after leading the NBA in votes.
Meanwhile, Former Thunder forward Ousmane Dieng had 19 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and four blocks, and the Milwaukee Bucks beat Oklahoma City, 110-93.
The Thunder traded Dieng just before the deadline. The 6-foot-9 Frenchman was the G-League Finals MVP as the Oklahoma City Blue won the championship in 2024 and a Thunder reserve.
Both teams were missing important pieces.
Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers was out attending a funeral, and assistant Darvin Ham filled in. Bucks All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo was out with a right calf strain.
Oklahoma City played without reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdominal strain) and co-star Jalen Williams (right hamstring strain). Both will be re-evaluated after the All-Star break.
AJ Green scored 17 points for the Bucks, and obby Portis added 15 points and 12 rebounds.
Isaiah Joe scored 17 points and Chet Holmgren added 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Thunder, who were coming off road wins against the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix.
Nikola Topic, who had not played this season after being diagnosed with testicular cancer, made his NBA debut. The No. 12 pick in the 2024 draft, who also missed his first season with a torn ACL, entered the game late in the first quarter and received a loud ovation.
Topic scored his only basket on a shot from near the free-throw line early in the second quarter. He finished with two points, one rebound and one assist in 12 minutes.
