LOS ANGELES — The Dallas Mavericks’ skid reached nine games Thursday night as LeBron James powered the Los Angeles Lakers to a 124-104 victory with a historic triple-double.
Dallas stayed competitive early behind Naji Marshall and Max Christie, who scored 19 points each, but the offense stalled after halftime and defensive breakdowns allowed the Lakers to pull away. Rookie Cooper Flagg missed the game with a sprained foot, leaving the Mavericks without a key two-way presence during a tough stretch.
James finished with 28 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds, becoming the oldest player in NBA history to record a triple-double at 41 years, 44 days. Rui Hachimura added 21 points, while Austin Reaves chipped in 18 for Los Angeles.
The loss marks Dallas’ longest losing streak in nearly 28 seasons. The Mavericks return to action Feb. 20 at Minnesota, hoping the All-Star break provides a much-needed reset.
