Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James produced a monster display in his team’s must-win 141-116 victory over the Atlanta Hawks last night. The 41-year-old continues to prove that age is just a number in his 23rd year in the NBA, surpassing a fellow Laker legend in the history books with his 31-point double-double.
LeBron James Passes NBA and Laker Icon Kobe Bryant
According to The Athletic’s Dan Woike, “Lakers say LeBron James had his 61st 30-point double-double since joining the Lakers, moving him past Kobe Bryant for 7th-most double-doubles in franchise history.”
Lakers say LeBron James had his 61st 30-point double-double since joining the Lakers, moving him past Kobe Bryant for 7th-most double-doubles in franchise history.
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) January 14, 2026
James’ 31 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists were also his 200th double-double in a Lakers uniform, making him the fifth Laker to do so.
The accomplishment of passing Kobe Bryant is another testament to James’ greatness and provides a benchmark for where he stands among the best Lakers of all time. The four-time champion has been with the Lakers since 2018, winning the 2020 NBA championship and the inaugural NBA Cup in 2023.
Bryant played 20 years with the Lakers, winning five NBA titles and scoring all 33,643 of his points for the legendary franchise. The fact that James has passed Bryant for 20+ double-doubles in a Laker uniform in the ‘twilight’ of his career is a testament to his longevity and ability to get it done on a nightly basis.
Since the start of 2026, James has registered three 30+ point games and hasn’t dropped below 22 points. In each game, he’s played at least 33 minutes or more. It’s still up in the open whether James will retire at the end of the season, but one thing is for sure: he and Luka Dončić have the capabilities to beat any team on any given night.
Dončić, who leads the fan All-Star voting in the West, is leading the league in scoring (33.4) and averages 8.8 assists (4th in the NBA).
The Slovenian superstar was completely on song with James in the game against the Hawks, scoring 27 points and providing 12 assists in the blowout victory. The Lakers have a 12-7 record with Dončić and James on the court together, but they need defensive reinforcements if they are to challenge for the NBA title this season.
James’ team allows an average of 116.4 points a game (17th in the NBA) and 114.7 points per 100 possessions, a defensive record that won’t win a championship. Despite their defensive frailties, the Lakers occupy fifth place in the Western Conference, winning 24 and losing 14 games.
Whatever happens, championship or not, James continues to set records and rewrite NBA history in his already storied professional career.
