Friday's game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center saw LeBron James record another triple-double, his fourth in a row. It is the first time in James' career that he has done so but when asked about this performance, he was somewhat critical of himself.
"I played like s*** tonight," James said. "I was not in a good rhythm, I mean offensively I wasn't in a good rhythm but being able to do other things. The best thing about my game is that I cannot have any rhythm offensively and still make an impact in the game and I was able to do that tonight."
James was then asked what was more surprising, that he recorded four triple-doubles in a row in his 22nd season or that it took him 22 years to do it for the first time.
"Probably that I did it in Season 22," James stated. "To still have the energy to do that and the effort, I mean it takes a lot but it takes some great teammates along the way too. Those assists only happen when your guys are making shots and I just try to put the ball on time, on target.
"And then defensive rebounding, just trying to help on the glass with (Anthony Davis) and the rest of the guys," James continued. "Sprinkling in a little points from time to time but waiting 22 years to do something is wild, so that's a good question right there."
James came into this game against the Spurs after putting up triple-doubles against the Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors, and the Memphis Grizzlies. He made it four in a row by the third quarter itself and finished with 15 points, 16 rebounds, 12 assists, and one steal. The 39-year-old went 6-12 from the field, 1-4 from three, and 2-4 from the line.
It wasn't James' finest hour from a scoring standpoint and he had seven turnovers as well, but he still managed to have a big impact on the game. The 20-time All-Star also managed to put the ball in the basket when it mattered most.
James scored with a layup to put the Lakers up 118-115 with under 30 seconds remaining. He then hit two free throws to put the Spurs away.
James is now averaging 23.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 9.6 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game in 2024-25. That's a career-high when it comes to rebounds and he has only ever averaged more assists once in his career, the 2019-20 season. It's incredible how well he's playing at this stage of his career.
James has now become the first forward to record four triple-doubles in a row but he is still some ways from the all-time record regardless of position. It wouldn't surprise you one bit to know that it's held by Russell Westbrook, who recorded 11 in a row in 2019 during his time with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
As well as James is playing, I don't see him getting all that close to breaking Westbrook's record but I suppose you never say never when it comes to him. He and the Lakers are next in action against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on Saturday at 8 PM ET.
