LeBron James became the oldest player in NBA history to record a triple-double and the Los Angeles Lakers went into the All-Star break with a 124-104 victory over the visiting Dallas Mavericks on Thursday.
James, 41, registered 28 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds for his first triple-double in 36 games this season.
Rui Hachimura added 21 points, Austin Reaves scored 18 off the bench and Jaxson Hayes put up 16 for the Lakers, who were playing without All-Star Luka Doncic (hamstring) for the fourth consecutive game.
Deandre Ayton (knee) missed a second consecutive game for Los Angeles, which ended a two-game losing skid. The Lakers improved to 3-0 against the Mavericks this season.
Naji Marshall and Max Christie each scored 19 points for the Mavericks, who lost their ninth consecutive game. It is Dallas’ longest losing streak since a pair of double-digit losing streaks in the 1997-98 season.
Dallas rookie star Cooper Flagg sat out the game and will miss the Rising Stars contest as part of the All-Star festivities on Friday.
P.J. Washington scored 18 points and Brandon Williams added 17 for Dallas, which is now 0-5 vs. the Lakers since trading Doncic to Los Angeles last season.
The Lakers took charge with a 13-2 run in the third quarter to take a 94-80 lead on a 3-pointer from Luke Kennard.
Los Angeles led 96-82 to start the fourth quarter and appeared to be in complete control by taking a 102-82 lead with 10:21 remaining. James had four points in Los Angeles’ 6-0 run to open the final quarter.
An 8-0 run got Dallas within 102-90 with 8:36 remaining before Reaves scored six of the Lakers’ next eight points for a 16-point advantage with 7:26 left. James completed his triple-double on a rebound with 2:05 remaining, and Hayes followed with a dunk to give Los Angeles a 122-110 lead with 1:49 on the clock.
The Lakers led by 13 points with three minutes remaining in the first half before the Mavericks closed on a 12-0 run to pull within 64-63 at the break. James had 18 points for Los Angeles in the first half while Marshall had 16 for Dallas.
–Field Level Media
