LeBron James Defies Father Time, Sets NBA Record for Oldest Player with a Triple-Double
LeBron James continues to redefine longevity in professional sports, etching his name further into NBA history by becoming the oldest player to record a triple-double. The Los Angeles Lakers star accomplished the feat Thursday night, at 41 years and 44 days old, during a dominant 124-104 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
The landmark performance saw James tally 28 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds, igniting a standing ovation from the Lakers’ faithful as he checked out of the game with his 123rd career triple-double – the fifth-most in NBA history. “I guess I’m more appreciative of moments like this in my career, understanding where I’m at, at the later stage of my journey,” James remarked, acknowledging the significance of the milestone.
James surpassed a record previously held for 22 years by Karl Malone, who achieved his final triple-double as a Laker at age 40 and 127 days. This achievement underscores James’ remarkable ability to maintain an elite level of play deep into his 23rd season. While statistics and records hold less weight for James at this stage, he values triple-doubles as a testament to his all-around impact. “I think what it represents is pretty cool — the fact that you can go out and have an impact in three facets of the game,” he explained. “Rebounding. The assists, obviously, are what I love the most. Being able to get my guys involved…and being able to put the ball in the basket.”
Despite missing 18 games this season due to injury, James’ selection to his 22nd All-Star Game was no surprise, and he emphatically justified the honor against the Mavericks, who were without Luka Doncic due to a hamstring strain. The Lakers are currently navigating a competitive Western Conference playoff race, having played only 10 games with James, Doncic, and Austin Reaves all simultaneously healthy.
Interestingly, James hadn’t registered a triple-double since February 1, 2025, a game overshadowed by a significant trade that brought Doncic to the Lakers. Malone originally set the record for oldest player with a triple-double on November 28, 2003, during his final NBA season, posting 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. James subsequently recorded the next 15 triple-doubles on that list, repeatedly coming close to surpassing Malone’s mark over the past year.
James entered the game against Dallas averaging 21.8 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds, demonstrating his continued all-around excellence. He made an immediate impact, scoring 14 points and dishing out six assists in the first quarter alone, contributing to the Lakers’ initial 23 points. He almost secured the triple-double earlier in the game, but a rebound was secured by teammate Austin Reaves, who jokingly admitted to receiving a playful reprimand from the rest of the team. “Everybody on the team yelled at me,” Reaves said. “I don’t catch myself looking at the stats during the game…and I looked at him and said, ‘Shoot, my fault.’”
While James is ineligible for All-NBA team selection this season due to missed games – including the first 14 while recovering from sciatica – his return to the All-Star Game, set to take place Sunday at Intuit Dome, signifies his enduring popularity and respect within the league. James boasts a career total of 152 triple-doubles, including playoff performances, solidifying his status as one of the most versatile and impactful players in NBA history.
