Luka watches as Lebron scores 42 points

MANILA, Philippines — LeBron James joined NBA icon Michael Jordan as the only players to score 40 points in a game at the age of 40, pouring in 42 on Thursday as the Los Angeles Lakers held off the Golden State Warriors 120-112.

James, who turned 40 on Dec. 30, delivered another age-defying performance that featured a three-pointer from the half-court logo in the first half and a dagger three that pushed the Lakers’ lead to 115-106 with 1:08 remaining.

James’s sixth three-pointer of the night helped thwart a late surge that saw the Warriors slice a 26-point deficit to five points – 109-104 – with 3:40 remaining.

“What do I think? That I’m old,” James said of joining the exclusive 40-at-40 club. “I need a glass of wine and some sleep.”

It was all under the admiring eye of Luka Doncic, the 25-year-old Slovenian star acquired by the Lakers from the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday in exchange for big man Anthony Davis in a deal that rocked the NBA.  

Doncic, nursing a calf injury, could make his Lakers debut as early as Saturday but Lakers coach JJ Redick indicated it would now be more likely to be in Monday’s game against Utah.

Meanwhile, first-time All-Star Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo will be NBA All-Star tournament teammates after being selected for the same roster by Charles Barkley in Thursday’s All-Star Draft.