LeBron James added another milestone to his storied career on Tuesday night, becoming the oldest player in NBA history to register a triple-double. The 41-year-old forward tallied 28 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists in the Los Angeles Lakers’ win over the Dallas Mavericks at Crypto.com Arena.
Head coach JJ Redick, speaking after the game, said James’ continued excellence no longer surprises the coaching staff but remains remarkable.
“He’s done everything we’ve asked of him and everything that should be realistically expected of a guy in his 23rd season,” Redick said. “He spends an inordinate amount of time preparing his body to play at this stage of his career.”
Redick noted that James completed additional pre-game work with assistant coach Greg St. Jean and showed immediate rhythm once the game tipped off. “We ran the flash single early, and he hits the three behind the screen without hesitation. The basketball flow was really good tonight,” the coach added.
Calling James’ professionalism the most striking aspect of his longevity, Redick emphasized that he does not take the four-time MVP’s effort for granted. “The more remarkable thing is how much he cares in his 23rd year with all his accomplishments,” he said. “He’s got a 23-year prime, basically. There are different versions of him, but that’s what’s remarkable.”
James surpassed Karl Malone, who set the previous age mark for a triple-double in 2003, also as a member of the Lakers. Asked about the new record, James said breaking milestones remains special but that team success remains his priority.
The victory moved Los Angeles to 30-19 on the season as the franchise continues to rely heavily on its veteran star’s nightly contributions.
Source: Lakers Nation
