LeBron James becomes oldest with triple-double in NBA history - ESPN

LOS ANGELES — LeBron James started off Thursday night's 124-104 win over the Dallas Mavericks with something he had never done before and finished it off with something no player his age had ever done before.

James scored or assisted on the Los Angeles Lakers' first 23 points of the first quarter, his longest such streak to start a game in his 23-year career, according to ESPN Research.

By the end of the night, he had 28 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds to become the oldest player in NBA history to post a triple-double. At 41 years, 44 days old, he leaped Karl Malone (40 years, 127 days) for the record.

«I'm more appreciative of moments like this in my career, understanding where I'm at,» said James, who received a loud ovation from the Crypto.com Arena crowd when he grabbed his 10th rebound with 2:05 remaining to secure the record. «I'm at the later stage of my journey, so definitely taking it in a little bit more.»

The performance by James came two days after he missed his 18th game of the season on Tuesday because of arthritis in his left foot, disqualifying him from end-of-season awards and ending his record All-NBA streak at 21 straight seasons because he cannot reach the 65-game threshold to qualify.

Lakers coach JJ Redick, who is four months older than James but has been retired from his playing days for five years, said that James continues to impress him.

«I don't take for granted how good he is, I recognize that on a daily basis,» Redick said. «It's really just the day-to-day professionalism and care factor that he exhibits that is the most remarkable thing.… He's got a 23-year prime, basically. And there's different versions of him, but that's what's remarkable.»

James, who is in the final year of his