LeBron James tied Russell Westbrook and Magic Johnson for the Los Angeles Lakers’ franchise record for most consecutive triple-doubles with four, in Friday night’s 120-115 win over the San Antonio Spurs.
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James posted his fifth triple-double of the season and 117th of his 22-year career
James tied the franchise record for consecutive triple-doubles set by Westbrook (Dec. 25 to Dec. 31, 2021) and Johnson, who did it twice (March 28 to Nov. 3, 1981, and March 31 to April 5, 1987).
In the Lakers’ group stage victory during this year’s NBA In-Season Tournament, James finished with 15 points, a season-high 16 rebounds, 12 assists, and a steal in 37 minutes of action.
Above all else, James accomplished this feat on a night where he said he “played like s—t” and “was not in a good rhythm” after taking a season-low 12 shot attempts and committing a season-high seven turnovers.
LEBRON JAMES GETS HIS FOURTH-STRAIGHT TRIPLE-DOUBLE‼️
THE LONGEST STREAK OF HIS CAREER 👑 pic.twitter.com/74oOk2fiLB
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 16, 2024
“The best thing about my game is I can have [no] rhythm offensively and still have an impact on the game,” James said. “I was able to do that tonight.”
James’ fifth triple-double of the season through 12 games brings his career regular-season total up to 117. Additionally, it was the 1,504th regular-season game of James’ career, tying him with John Stockton for the fifth most of all time.
James is the oldest player in NBA history to record three or more consecutive triple-doubles in a season
During Wednesday night’s 128-123 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, James also became the oldest player (39 years, 319 days old) in NBA history to register three straight triple-doubles.
Until Friday’s outing, the triple-double streak was tied for the longest of James’ career, matching the three he had from Nov. 1 to 5, 2019; Dec. 14 through 17, 2017; and March 7 to 12, 2009.
James was asked if he was more surprised that he beat his personal triple-double streak at this stage of his career or that it took him until his 22nd season to do it.
“Probably that I did it in Season 22,” he said. “To still have the energy to do that and the effort — it takes a lot. But also, it takes great teammates along the way, too. … Waiting 22 years to do something is wild, so that’s a good question right there.
“Those assists only happen when guys are making shots, and I just try to put the ball on time, on target and then defensively, rebound and try to help on the glass with [Anthony Davis] and the rest of the guys. And sprinkle in a little points from time to time.”
Through 12 games this season, James is averaging 23.5 points, a career-high 8.8 rebounds, 9.6 assists, and 35.3 minutes per contest while shooting 52.3% from the field, a career-best 44.6% from 3-point range, and 77% at the free throw line.
