-
Dave McMenamin, ESPN Workers Author
LOS ANGELES — LeBron James recorded the fortieth 30-point triple-double of his profession Wednesday, a month earlier than his fortieth birthday, within the Los Angeles Lakers‘ 128-123 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
“He is mastered the sport, and we do not win that recreation, clearly, with out him,” Redick mentioned after James completed with 35 factors on 13-for-22 capturing (4-of-7 from 3), 14 assists and 12 rebounds.
It was James’ fourth triple-double of the season by 11 video games to carry his profession regular-season whole as much as 116. And it was his third straight, all coming in wins throughout L.A.’s 3-0 homestand. The Lakers are 6-0 at dwelling to begin the season for the primary time since 2010-11.
The triple-double streak is tied for the longest of James’ 22-year profession, matching the three he had from Nov. 1 to five, 2019; Dec. 14 to 17, 2017; and March 7 to 12, 2009. At age 39, he’s the oldest participant in NBA historical past to report three straight triple-doubles.
“Simply being very affected person and taking what the protection offers me,” James mentioned of the feat. “I have been doing it for some time. So, I perceive time and rating. I perceive the waves and the swings of the sport. So, it is nothing new to me.”
With Anthony Davis (21 factors, 14 rebounds, 3 blocks) selecting up his fifth foul within the third quarter and needing to go to the bench or threat fouling out earlier than crunch time, James performed 11 out of 12 minutes within the fourth and managed the motion, posting 9 factors, 7 rebounds and 5 assists as L.A. outscored Memphis 37-27 to drag away.
“I am simply residing within the second,” James mentioned of the triple-doubles at this stage of his profession. “It feels good to have the ability to exit and play the sport that I like at a excessive degree nonetheless. And each night time I step out on the ground, I attempt to assist our workforce achieve success in any method, form, type or trend. So, in that sense it is fairly cool.”
Lakers ahead Rui Hachimura, one among 5 L.A. gamers to attain 18 factors or extra in opposition to the Grizzlies, mentioned the workforce is constructed to permit James to affect the sport while not having to do all of it.
“We sort of depend on him rather a lot typically, however I feel now now we have system of serving to one another sort of on the courtroom, offensively, defensively,” Hachimura mentioned. “I feel it is a whole lot of the burden [and] strain off him. … He can sort of be sort of chill after which nonetheless he will be himself. I feel it is good.”
