LeBron lifts Lakers past Grizzlies with 30-point triple-double

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

“He masters the game and obviously we don’t win that game 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, bringing his regular-season career total to 116. And it was his third straight, all of which came in wins during LA’s 3-0 home run. 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 1-5. November 2019; 14.-17. December 2017; and 7-12 March 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 scoring. I understand the ebb and flow of the game. So it’s nothing new to me.”

When Anthony Davis (21 points, 14 rebounds, 3 blocks) picked up his fifth foul in the third quarter and had to go to the bench or risk being ejected before the point, James played 11 of 12 minutes in the fourth and controlled the action, with 9 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists as LA outscored Memphis 37-27 to pull away.

“I just live in the moment,” James said of 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 on the floor, I try to help our team be successful in any way, shape, form or mode. So in that sense it’s pretty cool.”

Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, one of five LA players who scored 18 points or more against the Grizzlies, said the team is built to allow James to impact the game without having to do it all.

“We rely on him a little bit sometimes, but I think now we have a good system to help each other on the court, offensively, defensively,” Hachimura said. “I think that’s a lot of the weight (and) pressure on him. … He can be a little relaxed and then he can still be himself. I think that’s good.”