LOS ANGELES — LeBron James became the oldest player in NBA history to have a triple-double, accomplishing the feat for the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night against the Dallas Mavericks.

James had 28 points and 12 assists when he grabbed his 10th rebound with 2:06 to play in the Lakers’ 124-104 victory. James got a standing ovation when he checked out moments after grabbing his final rebound to complete his 123rd career triple-double, fifth most in NBA history.

At 41 years and 44 days old, James broke the record held by Karl Malone, who recorded a triple-double for the Lakers when he was 40 years and 127 days old.

But the top scorer in NBA history hadn’t had a triple-double since Feb. 1, 2025, in New York. That day is better remembered in Lakers history for the late-night breaking news of the trade that brought Luka Doncic to the Lakers in a seismic trade for Anthony Davis.

Malone had held the record as the oldest player with a triple-double since he had 10 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists on Nov. 28, 2003, during his final NBA season. James recorded the next 15 triple-doubles on that list, and he repeatedly came close to setting the record over the past year, but didn’t quite reach it until the Lakers’ final game before the All-Star break.

After missing Tuesday’s game against San Antonio, James was aggressive and active from the opening tip against the Mavericks in the absence of Doncic. The NBA scoring leader missed his fourth straight game for the Lakers because of a mild hamstring strain.

James put up 14 points and six assists in the first quarter, and he had 18 points, eight assists and four rebounds by halftime. He topped double digits in assists during the third quarter, and he played the entire fourth quarter before grabbing the 10th rebound.

James was selected for his 22nd All-Star appearance this weekend at Intuit Dome, even though he has missed 18 games this season because of injury. That means James is ineligible for inclusion on his 22nd All-NBA team.

James entered this game averaging 21.8 points, 6.9 assists and 5.7 rebounds for the Lakers, who are in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race despite playing only 10 games with James, Doncic and Austin Reaves simultaneously healthy. James missed the first 14 games of the season while dealing with sciatica.

Including the playoffs, James has 152 career triple-doubles.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Real Madrid career has not got off the ground yet but, fit again after injury, the England right-back could be crucial for the Spanish giants in the second half of the season.

With Alvaro Arbeloa’s side still taking shape following the coach’s arrival in January, Alexander-Arnold has the chance to make himself a key part of the club’s battle for silverware.

Pellegrino Matarazzo’s in-form Real Sociedad visit the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday in La Liga, in what promises to be an enticing clash.

Arbeloa’s Madrid are looking to move two points clear of Barcelona and take the lead in La Liga before the Catalans visit Girona on Monday.

Former Liverpool full-back Alexander-Arnold, who came off the bench last weekend as Madrid beat Valencia, could potentially start for the first time since December 3.

After a decent early showing for Madrid at the Club World Cup last summer, hamstring and thigh injuries have stopped him settling in, limiting him to 12 appearances across all competitions this season.

“After (he’s had) a long time out, we will proceed with caution,” said Arbeloa after Alexander-Arnold’s return, with Spanish newspaper AS reporting Madrid’s aim is for him to start against Benfica in the Champions League play-off round on February 17.

Even if Arbeloa uses veteran Dani Carvajal or youngster David Jimenez to start against Real Sociedad, the expectation is for Alexander-Arnold to get more crucial minutes under his belt.

With superstar striker Kylian Mbappe a doubt for the game because of knee discomfort, the defender’s creative input could prove an important weapon for Los Blancos against a Real Sociedad side unbeaten in nine matches.

Matarazzo’s side defeated champions Barcelona last month and have one foot in the Copa del Rey final after a semi-final first leg win at rivals Athletic Bilbao this week.

Winger Vinicius Junior is set to return from suspension for Madrid after missing the effective but uninspiring win over Valencia.

Alexander-Arnold, one of the finest crossers and passers of a ball in the world, is yet to fully unfurl his attacking tool-kit for Madrid.

His return could be a welcome boost for the bad-tempered Bernabeu crowd, who have been on their own team’s backs in recent weeks after coach Xabi Alonso’s dismissal and a run of inconsistent form.

Alexander-Arnold has the talent to dazzle supporters in the Spanish capital, and if he can stay fit, the opportunity to establish himself as a vital pillar of Arbeloa’s project is ripe for the taking.

Player to watch: Ademola Lookman

New Atletico Madrid signing Lookman made a strong start to life on his debut against Real Betis in the Copa del Rey with a goal, but last weekend against the same opponents in La Liga he was kept quiet as the Rojiblancos fell to a narrow defeat. In the derby clash against Rayo Vallecano this weekend the Nigerian forward will be looking to get off the mark in the Spanish top flight.

Key stats

3 – red cards for Oviedo forward Federico Vinas, the league record in a season is four

11 – clean sheets kept by Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois, more than any other goalkeeper

2070 – minutes played by Mallorca defender Martin Valjent, the only outfield La Liga player to complete every match so far

Fixtures

Friday (all times GMT)

Elche v Osasuna (2000)

Saturday Espanyol v Celta Vigo (1300), Getafe v Villarreal (1515), Sevilla v Alaves (1730), Real Madrid v Real Sociedad (2000)

Sunday

Real Oviedo v Athletic Club (1300), Rayo Vallecano v Atletico Madrid (1515), Levante v Valencia (1730), Mallorca v Real Betis (2000)

Monday

Girona v Barcelona (2000)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Kyle Busch won the pole for NASCAR’s season-opening Daytona 500 to give the driver with the longest active losing streak in “The Great American Race” a shot at the victory that has escaped him his entire career.

Busch is 0-for-20 in the Daytona 500 and hasn’t started in the top five since 2016, when he drove for Joe Gibbs Racing. He started fourth and finished third that year then was a career-best second to then-teammate Denny Hamlin in 2019.

“Kyle, we’ve got to get him this 500,” team owner Richard Childress said.

“Sounds really good right now — being able to qualify on my first pole for the Daytona 500, that’s pretty special,” said Busch, who wore custom-designed Olympic-themed racing shoes at Daytona International Speedway.

He earned the pole Wednesday night with a lap at 183.925 mph in a Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, the team that signed him before the 2023 season when his contract was up with Gibbs and his salary was too high for most teams.

But his time in the No. 8 has been rocky for the two-time NASCAR champion. He has won three races since joining RCR — all in his first season — and takes a 93-race losing streak into the Daytona 500.

His pole run continues a strong few weeks for Busch and his family: Older brother, Kurt, was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame last month.

“Feels really good for RCR as a group,” Busch said. “Just a valiant effort by everybody here. It would be really nice to be doing an interview like this about being No. 1 come Sunday night.”

RCR last put a car on the pole for the Daytona 500 in 2014 when Austin Dillon, Childress’ grandson, qualified first. Dillon won the race in 2018.

Chase Briscoe, last year’s pole sitter, qualified second in a Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing.

“It’s a really big deal, not only for myself, but I haven’t even checked my phone. I’m sure [Bass Pro Shops owner] Johnny Morris is ballistic already,” Briscoe said of his sponsor. “He gets super fired up for this race. He’s called me two or three times this week telling me he’s so excited to get here and asking me how the car is. It’s a big deal for him, as well. It should be awesome to be on the front row again Sunday.”

Although 37 drivers were locked into the race ahead of time trials, the starting order is not determined until after a pair of Thursday night qualifying races. Of those locked in, 36 are chartered cars that are guaranteed a spot in every race. An additional slot went to seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson under a provisional rule that allows for a 41st “world-class driver” trying to enter a Cup event.

Johnson is a two-time Daytona 500 winner who finished third last year. He left full-time NASCAR racing after the 2020 season.

Two of the open spots were claimed by Corey Heim for 23XI Racing and Justin Allgaier for JR Motorsports. They were the fastest cars in time trials.

Heim, last year’s Truck Series champion, will be making his Daytona 500 debut.

“Kind of nerve-wracking for sure,” the 23-year-old from Georgia said. “So impressed and thank you for 23XI Racing and Toyota, coming here with an open car and a fourth team at 23XI, to be able to do that is pretty impressive even from my eyes. I feel like that’s a very big accomplishment from those guys. Just blessed to be a part of the team.”

Allgaier is in the race for the fourth time in his career and the second consecutive year while driving for two-time race winner Dale Earnhardt Jr.

“It’s such a great sport to be part of it, and it’s awesome to be able to come down here and try to make your way in,” Earnhardt said. “It is stressful, but that’s the best part about it.”

There are two remaining open spots that will be decided Thursday night via a pair of 150-mile qualifying races. The highest finisher in each race among the drivers not qualified will earn a berth in the Daytona 500.

Those still trying to get in the race are Anthony Alfredo, Corey LaJoie, BJ McLeod, Casey Mears, Chandler Smith and J.J. Yeley. Only two will race Sunday.