On Thursday night, LeBron James delivered another landmark moment in a career defined by them.
In the Los Angeles Lakers’ 124-104 win over the Dallas Mavericks, James posted 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists, becoming the oldest player in NBA history to record a triple-double.
At 41 years and 44 days old, he surpassed Karl Malone, who previously held the record.
Postgame, teammates, coaches, and the wider NBA community weighed in on the achievement. But no reaction stood out quite like his son’s.
Lakers Star Sets Record as Bronny Steals the Spotlight
According to The Athletic’s Law Murray, as the younger James walked towards the locker room, he offered a four-word assessment of his father’s night.
“Bronny James on LeBron James while walking into locker room: ‘Old ass triple-double,’” Murray posted on X following the game.
Bronny was not alone in keeping the mood light, as the “old ass” James looked every bit as energized as ever in his record-setting 23rd season.
“I’m a goofy-ass 41-year-old kid. That’s just me. They pay me to play basketball. Why wouldn’t I be happy about that?” James told reporters postgame, via BasketNews.
“I get to be with my son and my teammates and all these unbelievable fans. They’ve watched me throughout my career, and they give me all the support and love. I enjoy what I do.”
After missing the start of the season through injury and gradually working his way back into rhythm, James is now averaging 22.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 7.1 assists across 36 games, shooting 50.2% from the field and 30.5% from three.
The production reinforces what nights like Thursday continue to show. Even at 41, he remains more than capable of impacting games at an elite level.
Bronny Building Momentum of His Own
Bronny James logged just under two minutes against Dallas, as a third-string unit featuring Kobe Bufkin, Adou Thiero, Drew Timme, and Dalton Knecht closed out the game.
He entered the night on the back of more meaningful run.
In Tuesday’s 136-108 loss to the San Antonio Spurs, with LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton, and Marcus Smart all sidelined, the 21-year-old was handed extended minutes.
In 25 steady, confidence-building minutes, he recorded a season-high 12 points, along with three rebounds, six assists, and a block, shooting 5-of-10 from the field and knocking down two three-pointers.
Less than 24 hours later, he carried that rhythm into the G League.
On Wednesday, suiting up for the South Bay Lakers, Los Angeles’ affiliate, he again scored 12 points, this time on an efficient 5-of-9 shooting night that included two made threes.
He chipped in three rebounds, six assists, and two blocks in 29 minutes off the bench, producing a stat line remarkably similar to his Spurs performance.
Through 10 G League appearances this season, James is averaging 12.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists, along with just under a steal per game, while shooting 46% from the field and 29.6% from three-point range.
He has hovered on the fringe of the Lakers’ NBA rotation for much of the season, including a pair of DNPs prior to the Spurs matchup, and nearly picked up another against Dallas.
Still, whatever his role on a given night, he appeared to relish watching his father continue to defy time, even as retirement speculation lingers in the background.
Bronny James’ Hilarious Four-Word Reaction to LeBron’s Historic Night