LeBron James was questionable for the Los Angeles Lakers due to foot and back injuries on Tuesday, and there were doubts about his ability to play given that he hasn’t played back-to-back games all season. He
So naturally, he played and nearly recorded the first triple-double by a 41-year-old in NBA history. The Lakers star scored 31 points on 12-of-20 shooting with 12 assists and 9 rebounds in a 141-116 blowout of the Atlanta Hawks.
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The win ended a three-game losing streak for the Lakers and a three-game winning streak for the Hawks.
The oldest player to achieve a triple-double in NBA history remains Karl Malone at 40 years and 127 days. James has next 15 games on the rosterbut has not published one since February 1 of last year, the 122nd of his career. At 41 years and 14 days old, he will win the record if he achieves the feat again.
However, no one on the Lakers side was complaining about his performance. Lakers head coach JJ Redick said after the game that the team didn’t even expect him to play.:
“He’s going to do everything he can to play in his 23rd year. It’s remarkable. His competitive stamina is off the charts. We didn’t expect him to be able to play.”
James’ rise to prominence might also have something to do with the fact that he is exactly one missed game away from being ineligible for awards this season, which would end his unprecedented 22-year All-NBA streak. He missed the Lakers’ first 14 seasons because of sciatica and has sat out three consecutive times since his debut. Last week, he told reporters it was TBD for each consecutive game remaining on the Lakers’ schedule.
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Alongside James’ near-triple-double was a 27-point, 12-assist night from Luka Dončić and a 17-point, 18-rebound performance from Deandre Ayton. Every Lakers starter scored in double figures and collectively accomplished something never seen before in NBA history despite the absence of Austin Reaves.
After a tight first quarter, the game gradually turned into an explosion. The Lakers had a 21-point halftime lead and led by double digits for the entire second half.
This victory improves the Lakers’ record to 24-14, still good for fifth place in the Western Conference. However, they are only 9-10 since December 1st and are still under pressure to completely right the ship with a soft schedule awaiting them.
