LeBron James’ first triple-double after turning 40 was impressive on its own. What made it even more remarkable was that he achieved it just one day after flying from Los Angeles to Atlanta and back to support his Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff championship game.
James showed no signs of fatigue or jet lag while recording 21 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 111-88 win over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night. On Monday, he was 2,200 miles away in a luxury box at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, celebrating with friends and family as the Buckeyes secured their title with a victory over Notre Dame.
“It was great to be there,” James said. “I was also there 10 years ago, I believe, when they won it. I was there in Dallas when they won it. To be there yesterday with a lot of my family and friends, it was super cool to be able to have that moment. We’re all diehard Ohio State fans back home.”
James, who grew up in Akron, has been a passionate Ohio State football fan since childhood. He watches their games on TV and attends in person whenever he can, including in January 2015 when Ohio State, led by Urban Meyer, defeated Oregon to win the first-ever College Football Playoff.
James, while a four-time NBA champion, is also a genuine sports fan who still finds excitement in witnessing historic moments. “Anytime you see championship-caliber teams go out and play to a level of excellence, it’s always inspiring,” James said. “No matter if it’s college or if it’s pros, whatever the case may be, it’s always inspiring. So I’m always inspired by greatness.”
The trip would be challenging for most people, but James had the luxury of private jet travel. He had scored 25 points for the Lakers against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday night before his long day of travel on Monday. He returned on Tuesday night to record his 121st career triple-double, the fifth-most in NBA history.
James’ trip to Dallas 10 years ago was similarly impressive. At that time, he was with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and he had games in Sacramento and Phoenix on the days before and after the Buckeyes’ title game against Oregon. James flew to Dallas, got back to Arizona around 12:30 a.m., and scored 33 points against the Suns the next evening.
This was James’ ninth triple-double of the season and his first since his 40th birthday on December 30. Halfway through his 22nd NBA season, he has shown almost no signs of slowing down, averaging 23.8 points, 8.9 assists, and 7.4 rebounds.
Karl Malone is the only other player in NBA history to record a triple-double in his 40s. The Mailman did it for the Lakers on November 28, 2003, when he was 105 days older than LeBron was on Tuesday night.
Over the past two seasons, James has recorded 14 triple-doubles, extending his own record as the second-oldest player in NBA history to achieve the feat each time.
