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LeBron James' triple-double in '22 delights NBA fans as Lakers beat George and 76ers | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

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Returning to Los Angeles after a five-game road trip was just what the Lakers needed to get back on track, as LeBron James recorded a triple-double in a 116-106 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday.

You would never know that James is in his 22nd NBA season and seven weeks away from his 40th birthday. He finished the game with 21 points on 9 of 14 shooting, 13 assists and 12 rebounds in 34 minutes, securing his 41st triple-double as a member of the Lakers.

James was on a heater at the start of the season. He has given up some of his scoring output to overtake Anthony Davis, but the efficiency with which he plays is incredible at this stage of his career.

Davis continues to be unstoppable when he plays. He had 31 points, nine rebounds and four blocks against the Sixers. The Lakers forward has scored at least 30 points in six of his eight games played.

Hoop Central @TheHoopCentral

Anthony Davis this season:
36 PTS, 16 REB, 4 AST
35 PTS, 8 REB, 4 AST
31 PTS, 9 REB, 2 AST
29 PTS, 15 REB, 3 AST
22 PTS, 13 REB, 2 AST
38 PTS, 11 REB, 2 AST
37 PTS, 9 REB, 4 AST
31 PTS, 9 REB, 4 BLK
MVP frontrunner. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/7wG8bIDTo9

James received plenty of praise for what he did to get the Lakers back on track after they lost four of their last five games.

BronMuse @BronMuse

LeBron James this season:
23.7 PPG
8.1 APG
7.4 Role play
52% FG
47.1% 3PT on 5.7 attempts
79% FT
He turns 40 next month. pic.twitter.com/WlzNna4BKj

Skip Bayless @RealSkipBayless

LeBron James: Still the best passer in basketball.

BlockBet @BlockBetGG

AD MVP. LeBron GOAT.

Akinyode Ifeoluwa Temitope ❤️❤️ @taiwo1989

LeBron James, the king
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

StatMuse @Status muse

LeBron tonight:
21 PTS
12 REB
13 AST
3 BLACK
The first Laker since the Magic to reach those numbers in a game. pic.twitter.com/vGhg8fLjUb

The 76ers aren't really in a position to challenge anyone right now, as the loss dropped them to 1-7. They once again played without Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, which led to a rather lifeless offensive performance.

Paul George had a miserable shooting game with just nine points on 4 of 13 shooting (0 of 8 from three-point range). He did have eight assists, but that wasn't nearly enough to overcome the onslaught from James and Davis.

JJ Redick's formula for the Lakers really isn't complicated. He maximizes Davis' offensive abilities and lets James do what he's done for 22 years. When this duo is on the floor together, the team is almost unstoppable.

As long as both superstars can stay healthy throughout the season, the Lakers will compete for a top six spot in the Western Conference and avoid the play-in tournament.

Next up for James and the Lakers is a home game against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday at 9:30 p.m. ET. Los Angeles beat Toronto 131-125 on Nov. 1 in the first meeting between the two teams this season at ScotiaBank Arena.

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