LeBron James had a great time embarrassing Father Time again on Tuesday.
Playing in the second game of a back-to-back set, the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player put up another eye-popping performance that defied his age, as he helped the Los Angeles Lakers notch a 141-116 win over the Atlanta Hawks at Crypto.com Arena at Los Angeles, Calif.
James, who turned 41 years old in December, scored 31 points, dished out 10 assists and grabbed 9 rebounds against the Hawks, falling just a board shy of a triple-double. There was ample time in the fourth quarter for him to chase a rebound and become the oldest player in NBA history to record a trip-dub, but he checked out of the game with 3:43 remaining in regulation.
Several fans on social media lamented that decision, as they all had to wait for at least another game to see James break Karl Malone’s record.
cmon JJ at least give lebron like 30 seconds to stat pad the triple double :(
— Optimisic Depressed LeHouston Fan (@LehoustonFan) January 14, 2026
They’re not gonna let LeBron get the triple double?? What the hell come on, man 😂
— Chris (@chrisdigiusto) January 14, 2026
LeBron just won’t get the triple double to become the oldest to ever do it😭😭💔
— Raegan🇯🇲 (@RaeganFromCLT) January 14, 2026
One rebound away from a triple-double for LeBron James and JJ Redick sends him to the bench, leave him on the court!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/BCy7GjbmV8
— Luka Salad Doncić (@Facucaseross) January 14, 2026
They couldn’t let LeBron get one more rebound for the triple double?
— 😼 (@amroensam) January 14, 2026
As it stands, Malone is still the oldest player in NBA history to author a triple-double, but with the way James’ body has been holding up even at this stage of his career, it’s a good bet that he’ll end “The Mailman’s” rule atop that particular all-time list for old guys.
James can try again for a triple-double on Thursday, when the Lakers host the Charlotte Hornets.
For what it’s worth, James has career averages of 28.0 points, 7.7 assists and 7.6 rebounds against the Charlotte franchise.
