LeBron James become 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 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.
