SAN ANTONIO – LeBron James continues to defy age and expectations in his incredible 22-season NBA career. On Friday night, as the Los Angeles Lakers kicked off their title defense in the in-season tournament, James added another feather to his illustrious cap by notching his fourth consecutive triple-double in a thrilling 120-115 victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

With a stat line of 15 points, 16 rebounds, and 12 assists, James achieved this remarkable feat despite feeling out of sorts on the court. He admitted to "playing like s***" and acknowledged that he struggled with both his shooting, taking a season-low 12 attempts, and turnovers, racking up a season-high seven. However, he showcased his ability to impact the game in ways that extend beyond mere scoring.

"The best thing about my game is I can have [no] rhythm offensively and still have an impact," said James. "I was able to do that tonight."

This game marked the 1,504th regular-season contest of his career, which ties him with legendary point guard John Stockton for the fifth most games played in NBA history. Moreover, at 39 years old, James has surpassed an astounding 57,000 minutes of regular-season play, a milestone few athletes can boast.

Reflecting on his historic triple-double streak, James shared his surprise at achieving this milestone in his twentieth second season. "Probably that I did it in Season 22," he said, marking his 117th career triple-double—now the fifth most in league history.

LeBron's accomplishment comes as he ties the Lakers’ franchise record for consecutive triple-doubles, previously held by Russell Westbrook and Magic Johnson. With Anthony Davis leading the charge with 40 points and joining several teammates in double digits, it was clear that the team is starting to gel under new head coach JJ Redick.

"A mindset of dominating empowers everybody else to step up," Austin Reaves noted, reflecting on James' influence on the team. This collective energy is crucial as the Lakers maintain a solid position in the Western Conference with an 8-4 record, sitting fifth overall.

James is averaging 9.6 assists this season, marking the second-highest rate of his career. His usage rate has dipped to 27.2%, the lowest of his lengthy tenure, yet he remains a pivotal playmaker for the Lakers. "The ball is not as much in my hands as it’s been in the past," he acknowledged, "but I’m still finding ways to contribute."

Coach Redick commended James for exemplifying physicality and leadership on the boards—critical components of the team's ongoing development. With just 12 games played out of the 82-game season, the Lakers are in a promising position to further refine their strategies as they look to climb the standings.

As LeBron James continues to redefine the possibilities of aging in professional sports, fans and analysts alike are left wondering just how much longer he can sustain this level of excellence. Stay tuned, as his journey unfolds further into the season!