LeBron James became the oldest player in NBA history to produce three straight triple-doubles, the latest coming in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 128-123 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night.
The 39-year-old scored 35 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and dished 14 assists in 37 minutes against the Grizzlies. James shot 13-for-22 overall, 4-for-7 from 3 and 5-for-8 on free throws.
“Just being very patient and taking what the defense gives me,” James said of his triple-double streak. “I’ve been doing it for a while. So I understand time and score. I understand the waves and the swings of the game. So it’s nothing new to me.”
9p/7r/5a for LeBron in the 4Q.
35p/12r/14a for LeBron in the game.Lakers move to 6-0 at home behind a royal performance from the 👑 pic.twitter.com/SqV9QZEtiF
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With Anthony Davis battling foul trouble — and the Lakers without big men Jaxson Hayes, Christian Wood and Jarred Vanderbilt due to injury — James even slid up to center for roughly four minutes total in the second and third quarters. The Lakers were plus-four in those minutes.
“He’s mastered the game,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said of James. “We obviously don’t win that game without him.”
James previously tallied 21 points, 12 rebounds and 13 assists in the Lakers’ win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Nov. 8, and 19 points, 10 rebounds and 16 assists in the Lakers’ win over the Toronto Raptors on Nov. 10.
The 22-year veteran entered the game averaging 24.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 9.4 assists, the second-highest assist average of his Lakers tenure. He’s shooting 52.4 percent from the floor, and posting career-highs in 3-point percentage (45.9 percent) and free-throw percentage (78.9 percent).
Wednesday’s triple-double marked James’ 116th of his career and his 40th 30-point triple-double. Only Luka Dončić, Russell Westbrook and Oscar Robertson have more 30-point triple-doubles in NBA history.
The Lakers improved to 7-4 and 6-0 at home, their best start at Crypto.com Arena since the 2010-11 season.
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(Photo: Harry How / Getty Images)
