LeBron James of old shows up in Lakers win ahead of NBA All-Star Weekend

There were signs this was coming for LeBron James. As he warmed up Thursday, he danced.He waved his arms as he moved up and down.

He stuck out his tongue.He grinned widely. He tossed the ball so high into the air that Rui Hachimura could walk under it immediately after it bounced.

Then he caught the ball before it hit the ground again, as the entire team bent its knees in unison with his. He was loose.He was joyful.

He was him. James tapped back into his je ne sais quoi after it was drained from him in an exhausting loss to the league-best Thunder on Monday. A few days later, the 41-year-old had reset, transforming back into the version of himself that’s untouchable by Father Time. James scored or assisted on the first 23 points in the Lakers’ 124-104 win over the Mavericks, his longest such stretch to begin a game in his career, per ESPN Research.By halftime, he had 18 points and eight rebounds.

He finished with 28 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists, becoming the oldest player in NBA history to record a triple-double. California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedInCalifornia Post Sports Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, XCalifornia Post Opinion California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!California Post App: Download here!Home delivery: Sign up here!Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!“He’s got a 23-year prime, basically,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said.James received a standing ovation at Crypto.com Arena after setting the triple-double record by grabbing his 10th rebound with 2:05 left. He surpassed Karl Malone, who had 10 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists at 40 years and 127 days old in 2003.(James was 41 years and 44 days old when he set the record.)“Any given night, if I need to turn it on, I can turn it on,” James said.Boy, did the Lakers need this.

They had lost two games in a row heading into Thursday’s contest.After Monday’s loss to the Thunder and their swarming defense, James looke...