GO ON!! LeBron lifts Lakers past Grizzlies with 30-point triple-double

LOS ANGELES — LeBron James recorded the 40th 30-point triple-double of his career Wednesday, a month before his 40th birthday, in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 128-123 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

“He’s mastered the game, and we don’t win that game, obviously, without him,” Redick said after James finished with 35 points on 13-for-22 shooting (4-of-7 from 3), 14 assists and 12 rebounds.

It was James’ fourth triple-double of the season through 11 games to bring his career regular-season total up to 116. And it was his third straight, all coming in wins during L.A.’s 3-0 homestand. The Lakers are 6-0 at home to start the season for the first time since 2010-11.

The triple-double streak is tied for the longest of James’ 22-year career, matching the three he had from Nov. 1-5, 2019; Dec. 14-17, 2017; and March 7-12, 2009. At age 39, he is the oldest player in NBA history to record three straight triple-doubles.

“Just being very patient and taking what the defense gives me,” James said of the feat. “I’ve been doing it for a while. So, I understand time and score. I understand the waves and the swings of the game. So, it’s nothing new to me.”

With Anthony Davis (21 points, 14 rebounds, 3 blocks) picking up his fifth foul in the third quarter and needing to go to the bench or risk fouling out before crunch time, James played 11 out of 12 minutes in the fourth and controlled the action, posting 9 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists as L.A. outscored Memphis 37-27 to pull away.

“I’m just living in the moment,” James said of the triple-doubles at this stage of his career. “It feels good to be able to go out and play the game that I love at a high level still. And every night I step out on the floor, I try to help our team be successful in any way, shape, form or fashion. So, in that sense it’s pretty cool.”

Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, one of five L.A. players to score 18 points or more against the Grizzlies, said the team is built to allow James to impact the game without needing to do it all.

“We kind of rely on him a lot sometimes, but I think now we have a good system of helping each other kind of on the court, offensively, defensively,” Hachimura said. “I think it’s a lot of the weight [and] pressure off him. … He can kind of be kind of chill and then still he can be himself. I think it’s good.”

Related Posts

Report: Jimmy Butler expected to play vs. Mavs, Terry Rozier gets surprising update

Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler reportedly will play against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday despite dealing with an illness.

It’s a hard-knock life for Bulls’ defense after Alex Caruso’s departure

For a Bulls team that is badly in need of a few hard weeks of practice time, there hasn’t been a lot of relief in sight. Thanks,…

Heat’s Terry Rozier downgraded to out vs. Mavs, will miss second straight game with foot pain

Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier’s return will need to wait at least one more game. After initially being listed as probable for Sunday night’s matchup against the…

Bulls’ defense falters again in 142-131 loss to Grizzlies

For the third time in the last six games, the Bulls’ defense gave up at least 140 points. On Saturday, it happened against a Memphis team missing two key players.

RUMOR: Lakers Linked to Trade for $30 Million Big Man

The Los Angeles Lakers are off to a hot start and looking to bolster the frontline alongside star big man Anthony Davis ahead of the NBA trade…

Steph Curry and Michael Jordan’s daughter Jasmine Jordan react to Jayson Tatum’s White House visit

In keeping with tradition, the NBA champions, Boston Celtics, visited the White House on Thursday and met with President Joe Biden. Jayson Tatum shared photos of the visit on Instagram Friday,…