LeBron James surprises NBA fans with historic triple-double in Lakers’ win vs. Wizards | News, results, highlights, stats and rumours

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 21: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Washington Wizards on January 21, 2025 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTICE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and/or using this photograph, User consents to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)

Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images

LeBron James is proof that age is just a number after recording his third triple-double since turning 40 in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 111-88 victory over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night.

The future Hall of Famer finished with 21 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds in 36 minutes to get the Lakers back on track after Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

James is now second oldest player in NBA history to record a triple-double. Karl Malone was 40 years, 127 days old when he posted the last triple-double of his career.

LeBron became the oldest player to record a triple-double with at least 20 points scored. Malone had 10 points, 10 assists and 11 rebounds in his historic game, which also came during his lone season with the Lakers.

StatMuse @status

LeBron James tonight:
21 PTS
10 RIB
13 AST
Oldest NBA player in history with a 20 PT triple-double. pic.twitter.com/68iacH9BFk

The Lakers have played 10 games since James turned 40 on Dec. 30. He is averaging 24.5 points, 8.9 assists and 6.5 rebounds during that stretch. He has three triple-doubles in the past seven games.

Although it has become harder to find new superlatives to describe James at this stage of his career, fans showered the 20-time All-Star with praise following his historic triple-double.

Witness to King James @WITNESS

In the last two weeks, LeBron has legitimately taken two of the more impressive dunks of his career.
40 years in year 22.
Both on 7-footers — A left-leaning windmill poster on a guy half his age and a poster alley-oop.
ABSOLUTELY CRAZY.

73-9 and THEY LIED @CuffsTheLegend

LeBron’s actual skill will not be understood or appreciated until he is no longer playing
People who were too busy hating on his entire career will look back at his old highlights and it’s going to look insane

Crazy statistics @NBAcrazystats

Top 5 (most calendar years with a triple-double):
LeBron James – 21
Jason Kidd – 17
Russell Westbrook – 16
Larry Bird – 14
Magic Johnson – 14 https://t.co/JiD4VqkVdT

ɴᴏᴛ @georgemican

LeBron’s first 10 games at age 40:
24.5 PPG on 66.3 TS%
6.5 RPG, 8.9 APG
1.1 SPG, 0.6 BPG
And two bodies caught… pic.twitter.com/Vbzzp37OTS

James got some help from his teammates in this game. Anthony Davis put up 29 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks in 32 minutes. Dorian Finney-Smith had his best performance since joining the Lakers, finishing with 16 points on 4-of-6 three-point shooting.

The win kept the Lakers in sixth place in the Western Conference with a 23-18 record. They are one game ahead of the Dallas Mavericks in the race to avoid the play-in tournament.

Things will get tougher for James and the Lakers in their next game. They will host the Boston Celtics at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday at 10 p.m. ET. It is the first meeting between the historic rivals this season.