Lakers beat Mavericks 124-104 as Dallas drops ninth straight

Max Christie scored a team-high 19 points, but it was not enough to prevent the Los Angeles Lakers from defeating the Dallas Mavericks 124-104.

Cooper Flagg missed the game with a left midfoot sprain, contributing to the Mavericks’ ninth consecutive loss.

Dallas is 19-35 entering the NBA All-Star break and has lost five straight against the Lakers since trading Luka Dončić, who did not play.

Naji Marshall exited in the third quarter with a left foot strain and did not return. Daniel Gafford also did not return because of right ankle soreness.

Lakers star LeBron James finished with 28 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists for his first triple-double of the season. He scored 14 points in the first quarter and controlled the game throughout.

P.J. Washington scored 18 points, and Brandon Williams added 17 for Dallas.

The Mavericks will face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Feb. 20 in their first game after the All-Star break.