LOS ANGELES, United States — LeBron James has etched his name deeper into the NBA record books, becoming the oldest player in league history to record a triple-double.
The Los Angeles Lakers star achieved the feat on Thursday night, February 12, 2026, during a 124-104 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at the Crypto.com Arena. At 41 years and 44 days old, James surpassed the previous record held by Karl Malone, who was 40 years and 127 days old when he recorded a triple-double for the Lakers in 2003.
Key Performance Stats
- Box Score: James finished the night with 28 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds.
- The Milestone Moment: He secured his 10th rebound with just 2:06 remaining in the fourth quarter.
- Career Total: This marks the 123rd career triple-double for James (the 5th most in NBA history). Including the playoffs, his total rises to 152.
Context of the Game James entered the matchup with extra motivation, having missed the previous game against San Antonio. Playing in the absence of teammate Luka Doncic (who missed his fourth straight game with a hamstring strain), James was aggressive from the start, putting up 14 points and six assists in the first quarter alone.
The victory is crucial for the Lakers, who are fighting for a spot in the Western Conference playoff race. The team has struggled with injuries this season, with James himself missing the first 14 games due to sciatica.
Legacy and All-Star Weekend The record-breaking performance serves as a perfect prelude to the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend at the Intuit Dome, where James has been selected for his 22nd All-Star appearance. However, due to the 18 games he has missed this season, James will be ineligible for inclusion on the All-NBA team this year.
Despite the age and injury hurdles, James continues to demonstrate what analysts call a “different kind of greatness,” averaging 21.8 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game in his 23rd NBA season.