LeBron James breaks Karl Malone’s mark: the oldest NBA triple-double in the Lakers’ victory over the Mavs

LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James became the oldest player in NBA history with a triple-double by posting 28 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 124-104 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night.

At 41 years and 44 days, 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.

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James scored 14 points in a dominant first quarter, and had 22 points and 12 assists in the quarter. He grabbed his 10th rebound with 2:06 to play and checked out moments later, capping off 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 achieved his most recent triple-double on February 1, 2025.

Naji Marshall and Max Christie each scored 19 points for the Mavericks, who lost their ninth straight to fall into their longest skid in 28 seasons.

NBA leading scorer Luka Doncic didn’t fit in with his former team, missing his fourth straight game with the Lakers with a minor hamstring strain. Rookie Cooper Flagg sat out with a sprained foot for Dallas that will keep him from All-Star weekend at the nearby Intuit Dome.

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James and Austin Reaves missed the Lakers’ loss to San Antonio on Tuesday for health reasons, but both returned with comfortable victories. Reaves had 18 points and six assists.

Rui Hachimura scored 21 points for the Lakers, who have won seven of 11.

DOLLARS 110, THUNDER 93

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Former Thunder forward Ousmane Dieng had 19 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and four blocks, and Milwaukee beat Oklahoma City.

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 reserve for the Thunder.

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Both teams were missing important pieces.

Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers was out attending a funeral, and assistant Darvin Ham filled in for him. 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 winning on the road against the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix.

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TRAIL BLAZER 135, JAZZ 119

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Jrue Holiday scored a season-high 31 points and Donovan Clingan added 23 points and 18 rebounds as Portland beat Utah — just hours after the Jazz lost Jaren Jackson Jr. to knee surgery and were fined $500,000 by the NBA for sitting healthy stars.

Clingan also had a career-high seven assists and three blocks. Holiday had nine rebounds and seven assists to lead Portland (27-29) to its fourth win in five games.

Jerami Grant added 18 points and Scoot Henderson scored 15 in his fourth game this season.

Brice Sensabaugh scored 28 points while Ace Bailey, Kyle Filipowski and Isaiah Collier scored 15 each for Utah (18-38).

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In his first NBA game, Utah two-way player Blake Hinson scored 11 points and hit a 3-pointer to lead the Jazz to 111-108. But the Blazers responded with an 11-2 run capped by Holiday’s layup to clinch the victory.

Clingan sparked a 10-0 spurt with dominant play on both wings to give the Trail Blazers a 75-65 lead. Portland outscored the short-handed Jazz 40-23 in the third quarter and took control.

Jackson, who led the Jazz to a 2-1 record since arriving from Memphis in a trade last week, did not play. In a post-trade physical exam, Jackson was diagnosed with a benign growth on his left knee and will undergo surgery next week.